China Southern’s A330-300 aircraft touched down at Sydney Airport early this morning, kicking off the airline’s new Shenzhen-Sydney service.
Launching ahead of the busy Chinese New Year travel period, the service will operate three times weekly, connecting Sydney to its ninth mainland China city.
The new flight will commence with operations during the peak period – running from today until 31 March 2016. The airline will review the service once the two months are complete.
Flights will depart every Saturday, Monday and Thursday. The Saturday service will take off from Sydney at 10.00 and arrive Shenzhen 16.15; then Monday and Thursday depart Sydney 09.30 to arrive Shenzhen 15.45.
Each flight will bring some 284 passengers or around 852 visitors to Sydney each week.
The aircraft offers 208 seats in economy; 48 premium economy; 24 in business; and four open suites in deluxe first class.
Earlier this year, China Southern’s Managing Director of Australia and New Zealand, Louis Lu, said Shenzhen is an “important market for trade” between Australia and China as well as a gateway for tourists.
“We are committed to providing service that is of high quality and exceptional hospitality but also provides an affordable way to travel, not just to Guangzhou and now Shenzhen, but onwards to 195 destinations in 40 different countries.”
Louis Lu, China Southern Managing Director Aus & NZ
China Southern is also looking to add to its Sydney operations by increasing its Sydney-Canada-Sydney service from double to triple daily. It will also send its 787 to Perth.