Australians will soon have even more ways to fly to mainland China. Juneyao Air will start its inaugural nonstop Sydney-Shanghai services from 17 December 2024, earlier than announced, pending regulatory approval. This makes Sydney Airport the first Australian hub for the Shanghai-based budget airline.
Juneyao Air’s entry into the Australian market marks the ninth mainland China-based carrier to connect Sydney Airport to the East Asia nation – the highest number of airlines ever and the highest capacity to mainland China of any other Australian hub.
Part of Star Alliance, the LCC’s entry will also push capacity from Sydney into mainland China to 53,000 weekly seats – 101 per cent of December 2019 levels.
The direct Sydney-Shanghai service will initially operate four flights per week on its flagship Boeing B787-9 aircraft with the potential to increase to daily services over peak months in 2025.
The 324-passenger cabin configuration will offer 29 Business Class seats and 295 in Economy Class.
Juneyao Air also announced a thrice-weekly Melbourne-Shanghai service will commence on 19 December 2024.
Sydney Airport is Australia’s gateway to China
In the 12 months to June 2024, Sydney Airport captured 49 per cent of passengers on the Australia to mainland China route.
Chinese carriers currently operating routes between Sydney and mainland China are Air China, Beijing Capital Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Tianjin Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said the airport worked with Destination NSW and the NSW Government to deliver this latest service to mainland China.
“We are proud to welcome Juneyao Air to Sydney Airport, the home of Chinese airlines in Australia,” he said.
Juneyao Air President Chengji Yu said: “We are thrilled to be expanding our network into Oceania with new services to the fantastic harbour city of Sydney, our first Australian destination.”
“We look forward to bringing our own unique brand to the route, utilising our new Boeing 787-9 aircraft, and trust the people of Sydney will enjoy this new direct service into our Shanghai home and beyond through our China network.”
For more info, head to global.juneyaoair.com
