Chinese carriers hot for Aussie skies 

Chinese carriers hot for Aussie skies 

China’s Xiamen Airlines is said to be considering launching new flights between Xiamen and Sydney this year to take advantage of the increased air capacity between the two countries.

The news broke at the official opening of the SkyTeam lounge in Sydney Airport, of which Xiamen Airlines is a member along with two other Chinese carriers, China Southern and China Eastern.

According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, SkyTeam managing director, Michael Wisbrun told the paper Sydney and Amsterdam were two potential destinations for Xiamen’s global expansion following the arrival of its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

“[Xiamen] are one of the few profitable airlines in China,” Wisbrun told the paper.

According to the report, Sydney Airport chief executive Kerrie Mather said there was “opportunity for traffic growth immediately” and that regional China would be positioned a key area to tap into with the new bilateral air services agreement announced last month.

Chinese arrivals into Sydney Airport will for the first time overtake New Zealand arrivals, the report stated, accounting for half of international passenger growth.

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