China Southern Airlines on 27 January launched its fifth route between China and Australia, its second to Sydney (SYD) and its first from Shenzhen (SZX).

The new thrice-weekly service on the 7,424-kilometre route will be operated by the SkyTeam member’s 284-seat A330-300s. Flights depart China on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings arriving in Australia early the following morning. The return flights depart Sydney on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. China Southern already serves four Australian airports (including Sydney) from its Guangzhou hub. Kerrie Mather, MD & CEO, Sydney Airport, said: “We’re delighted to welcome this new Shenzhen-Sydney service in time for the peak Lunar New Year period. The new China Southern Airlines service will deliver tourism benefits to Sydney and boost trade by providing a direct route to the major financial, technology and manufacturing centre of Shenzhen. Sydney Airport is the gateway to Australia for Chinese passengers and has the most Chinese long-haul routes of any airport in the world, with six mainland Chinese airlines providing direct services to nine mainland Chinese cities. Chinese passengers are our fastest growing and largest inbound visitor market based on residency, so we’ve implemented initiatives to provide them with a positive visitor experience, including additional Mandarin speaking Red Ambassadors, a Chinese social media channel and Lunar New Year celebrations at the airport.”
aenna