Eighth Century Buddhist temples, stone bridges, ancient parks and more of China’s south history will be easily accessible to Aussie travellers through China Eastern’s new services from Sydney.
Starting next month, the carrier will launch three-times weekly flights between Sydney and Kunming – capital and largest city in China’s Yunnan Province.
The airline will utilise its A330-200 aircraft on the route, providing around 234 seats between the two cities.
Flight MU777 will depart Kunming on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 00.50 and arrive in Sydney at 14.45. MU778 will then depart Sydney on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 20.50 to arrive in Kunming 05.00 the next day.
According to Sydney Airport’s Managing Director and CEO, Kerrie Mather, the new route will not only give Australians access to China and vice verse, it gives Aussies more choice when travelling to countries in Southeast Asia such as Nepal and Cambodia.
“Kunming is also an inviting destination for Sydneysiders to visit, with attractions including the Lijiang Ancient City and Honghe Hani Terraces, as well as being a gateway to South East Asian countries including Nepal, Myanmar and Cambodia.”
Kerrie Mather, Sydney Airport Managing Director
The service is expected to boost tourism to Sydney and NSW, bringing 23,000 Chinese visitors and an estimated $89 million in additional visitor expenditure a year.
It will also bring China Eastern’s operations from Sydney up to 23 weekly flights between the Australian city and Shanghai, Kunming, Nanjing and Hangzhou.
“The steady growth of capacity in the last 20 years shows the confidence of China Eastern Airlines in the market between Sydney, Australia and China.”
Kathy Zhang, China Eastern Airlines General Manager Oceania
The new route from Australia to China is part of the Australian Government and China Government’s agreement to triple gateway capacity between the two destinations before the end of the year.
The arrangement has also saw China Southern launch Adelaide’s first services to mainland China, Virgin Australia plan its first flights to Beijing while Qantas returns to the city and Air China take off from Sydney to Chengdu.