Brisbane’s direct air link to Shanghai with China Eastern will become a daily year-round service from 15 June 2026, delivering almost 100,000 annual seats on the route as Chinese visitor numbers through the airport continue to climb.
China Eastern Airlines, mainland China’s second-largest carrier, currently operates five weekly flights between Brisbane and Shanghai Pudong.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the permanent frequency boost to seven weekly services from June will lock in daily nonstop access between Queensland and one of China’s largest commercial hubs.
The capacity increase comes as visitors travelling on Chinese passports through Brisbane rose 19 per cent to 315,000 annual passengers in 2025, according to Brisbane Airport, making China the airport’s third-largest inbound international market.
What does daily year-round mean for Brisbane to Shanghai capacity?
The move from five-weekly to daily frequency on the Brisbane-Shanghai route adds almost 100,000 annual seats, according to Brisbane Airport. It follows a broader pattern of Chinese carriers rebuilding and expanding Australian capacity post-pandemic.
China Southern moved to twice-daily year-round Brisbane to Guangzhou flights from late March 2026, adding more than 114,000 seats annually. Between them, the two mainland carriers now offer three daily nonstop services linking Brisbane with China’s two largest airline hubs, according to the airport.
China Eastern has also confirmed a maiden Adelaide to Shanghai service launching mid-2026, part of a wider network expansion across Australia and New Zealand.
The daily schedule improves outbound options for Queenslanders, de Graaff noted. “China Eastern Airlines’ daily flights will also give Queenslanders seamless access to China’s vast domestic network and beyond,” he said.
The daily service connects Brisbane directly to Shanghai’s network of 244 destinations spanning mainland China, Asia, Europe and North America, according to the airport.
De Graaff pointed to China’s current visa-free stopover policy allowing Australian passport holders stays of up to 30 days as an added incentive for outbound travellers.
What does China Eastern say about the frequency increase?
China Eastern General Manager Brisbane Cathy Huang said the frequency increase would strengthen the airline’s role connecting the two countries.
“As China Eastern Airlines continues to increase its flight frequency on the Brisbane route, economic cooperation and connectivity between China and Australia will become even closer, paving a more efficient and convenient air corridor for business travel, cultural exchanges, and tourism,” Huang said.
How important is the Chinese visitor market to Queensland?
De Graaff said the increased frequency reinforced Brisbane’s position as a gateway to Australia for Asian travellers. “Chinese visitors are an important market for Brisbane and they’re also among the highest spenders. Daily flights will give Chinese visitors the confidence and convenience to choose Queensland first and discover our beaches, wildlife, food and lifestyle,” he said.
De Graaff said the capacity boost would also support export and trade links. “The boost in capacity will also help deepen business, cultural and trade ties with China, boosting export capacity on the route,” he said.
The increased capacity is supported by the Queensland Government and Brisbane Airport through the Connecting Queensland Fund. Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said year-round daily flights would deliver a direct economic benefit to the state.
“Daily year-round services from Shanghai will welcome thousands of additional travellers, supporting our tourism operators right across the state,” Minister Powell said.
Brisbane Airport says it expects more than 25 million passengers this year and is now connected to 35 international destinations.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Daily year-round Brisbane to Shanghai flights give travel advisors a stronger sell for both inbound China groups and outbound clients eyeing China’s visa-free stopover policy. Combined with China Southern’s twice-daily Guangzhou services, Brisbane now has three daily nonstop mainland China connections for advisors to work with.
