Beijing Capital Airlines hosted an exclusive brunch at the Yugen Tea Bar in South Yarra to celebrate the inaugural flight of its Hangzhou to Melbourne route.
The flight landed at Melbourne Airport at 5am with 264 passengers, with the return flight departing at 7am.
The new route connects Australia’s coffee capital with China’s tea capital. The service operates three times per week using an Airbus A330, in addition to Beijing Capital Airline’s existing Qingdao service.
Hangzhou becomes the eighth non-stop destination in mainland China to be served from Melbourne Airport, with the additional flights taking capacity in the Chinese market back to 91 per cent of pre-pandemic level
Mainland Chinese travellers have traditionally been one of the highest spending markets. Last year, Chinese tourists spent a total of $5.8 billion in Australia.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said the extra capacity will increase opportunities for Victoria’s tourism, education and agriculture sectors.
“It is estimated that an average daily international flight is worth around $154 million to the Victorian economy, so we know these new flights will help fill our restaurants, support our shops and give our farmers access to millions more consumers,” Argus said.
“China is Victoria’s largest two-way trading partner and the number one buyer of Victorian goods, with sales topping $6 billion last financial year. Today’s important new connection into mainland China will continue to help boost trade, tourism and international student growth.
A Beijing Capital Airlines spokesperson said Melbourne, as the first intercontinental destination opened by Beijing Capital Airlines, marks the third intercontinental route within the same country with the launch of the Melbourne to Hangzhou route.
“Beijing Capital Airlines will continue to strive to support economic and cultural exchanges between China and Australia.”
