China Southern Airlines proudly celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Guangzhou-Sydney route with a promotion gala held on 8 December 2025 at Doltone House – Hyde Park in Sydney.
Since the route’s inaugural flight on 5 December 2000, China Southern Airlineshas maintained uninterrupted operations for a quarter of a century, serving as a key air bridge connecting China and Australia.
Mr.Ye Wei, Counsellor-rank Consul for Economic and Commercial affairs of Consulate-General of The People’s Republic of China in Sydney; Mr.Greg Botham, Chief Aviation Officer of Sydney Airport; Mr.Robert Dougan, Executive General Manager of Tourism Australia; Ms. Sue Doyle, Director of Partnerships & International Markets in Destination NSW; Mr.Li Mang, President of China Chamber of Commerce in Australia Ms.Helen Zhi Dent, President of Australia China Business Council in NSW; Mr.Ma Lei, Secretary General of China Chamber of Commerce in Australia, along with 120 distinguished guests and representatives from government, business, aviation, tourism and media, jointly witnessed this significant moment.
During the event, Mr. Jason Sun, the Regional General Manager of China Southern Airlines Australia and New Zealand, reflected on the remarkable development of the route over the past 25 years. He expressed sincere appreciation to all partners and passengers for their long-term support and reaffirmed China SouthernAirlines’ commitment to deepening its presence in the Australian and New Zealand markets while continuing to enhance service quality and operational excellence.
A Journey of Milestones
● 5 December 2000 – China Southern Airlines officially inaugurated the Guangzhou–Sydney route, establishing one of the key air bridges between China and Australia.
● 31 October 2010 – With the implementation of the “Australia–New Zealand Strategy” and the growing international footprint, the route increased frequency to two daily flights.
● 1 July 2012 – The first 13 Australian based flight attendants joined the Guangzhou–Sydney service, providing high-quality cabin service while sharing Chinese culture with international passengers.
● 24 August 2013 – The route was upgraded to operation with the new Airbus A330 aircraft, which significantly enhanced passenger comfort and further strengthened the airline’s presence in the Australian market
● 27 October 2013 - The aircraft model, Airbus A380, was introduced to operateon Guangzhou–Sydney route during the peak season for the first time. The deployment of this “superjumbo” aircraft not only demonstrated the airline’s strong operational capability, but also attracted wide attention from the Australian community.
● 11 December 2015 – During peak seasons, flight frequency increased to three daily services, offering greater flexibility for travelers during holiday and Spring Festival periods.
● 15 December 2017 – China Southern introduced the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the route, becoming the only Chinese carrier to operate both A380 and B787 aircraft on the same route.
● 16 December 2017 – China SouthernAirlines Sydney Office was officially designated as one of the first Overseas Promotion Centers of the Guangzhou Municipal Tourism Bureau, taking on the mission of promoting Guangzhou’s tourism and Lingnan culture in Australia.
● January 2012 – January 2020 – The Sydney Office sponsored the SydneyFestival for nine consecutive years, actively promoting cultural exchange between China, Australia, and the world, and demonstrating its integration into the local community.
● 2020–2023 (Pandemic Period) – Despite numerous challenges, China Southern maintained 1–2 weekly flights on the Guangzhou–Sydney route, ensuring essential air connectivity between China and Australia.
● January–August 2023 – Flight operations gradually recovered to two daily round trips, helping relieve capacity shortages in the post-pandemic travel market.
● 18 November 2023 – The route resumed three daily flights during peak season, marking a full recovery to pre-pandemic capacity.
● 2024 – The Guangzhou–Sydney route carried nearly 412,000 passengers, ranking first among all China–Australia routes and becoming the preferred choice for travelers between the two countries.
● By 5 December 2025 – China SouthernAirlines’ Guangzhou-Sydney route has maintained uninterrupted operations for a quarter of a century. The flight frequencyis increased to double daily in off-peak and shoulder seasons, triple daily flights in peak season, and will introduce four daily round trips from 13 December 2025 to 24 February 2026, marking a new record in capacity deployment.
Continuing the Journey
“For 25 years, we have stayed true to our mission,” said Mr. Jason Sun. “We deeply appreciate the trust and support of our partners and passengers, and we will continue to build on this success.”
Looking forward, China Southern Airlines will further strengthen its presence in the Australian market, continuously refine its route network and service standards, and leverage Guangzhou as its main hub. The airline remains dedicated to fostering trade, cultural exchange, education, and tourism between China and Australia—contributing even more to the growing friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
To express its gratitude for the continuous support, China Southern Airlines is currently offering the special discount fare from Sydney to China.
