International passenger numbers might still be down on pre-pandemic levels (although even they’re returning quickly), but Sydney Airport has just hit a milestone it has never reached.
In a historic moment for Australia’s busiest airport, SYD welcomed its 50th airline with the arrival of Vietjet Air from Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday 13 April.
In its 103-year history, SYD has never seen as many airlines flying regular passenger services to the hub as now.
Six new airlines have commenced scheduled flights to Sydney Airport over the past 12 months including Batik Air Indonesia, Bamboo Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Thai AirAsia X, T’way Air and also Vietjet.
Consequently, the number of different carriers flying to Sydney even surpasses the 48 airlines that operated through SYD in 2019.
“For the first time in our proud 103-year history, we have 50 airlines flying through Sydney Airport,” Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said.
“This is an incredible achievement when you consider air travel was almost non-existent through COVID.
“Attracting airline networks to rebuild capacity to Sydney is key to supporting the recovery of international tourism, business travel, student travel and the broader New South Wales economy.”
Vietnam rising
With the arrival of Vietjet, SYD now has four airlines flying to Vietnam, a growing tourism market among Aussie travellers.
“The Vietnam market has experienced a strong surge in capacity and demand, with passenger volumes 14 per cent above pre-COVID levels in March 2023,” Culbert remarked.
The newest arrival Vietjet will operate three return services a week between Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City, utilising its A330-300 aircraft.
“As Australia marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Vietnam it’s fitting that our 50th airline is a Vietnamese carrier,” Culbert said after flight VJ85 touched down in Sydney for the first time.
Vietjet Vice President Commercial Nguyen Thanh Son said Australia also “plays an important role in our business strategy”.
“Connecting Sydney with Ho Chi Minh City demonstrates Vietjet’s strong commitment to providing a new choice for Australians to explore Vietnam and other Asian destinations through our diverse classes of SkyBoss Business, Skyboss, Deluxe and Eco,” he stated.
“Our flights will make significant contributions to the economic and tourism growth of Vietnam, Australia and NSW in the coming years.”
Vietjet touched down in Melbourne last Sunday, marking its arrival in Australia. It will also commence services to Brisbane in June.
In addition to this, Vietjet is offering free domestic flights within Vietnam for Australian travellers plus airfares from just AU$200 from Sydney and Melbourne until 25 October 2023.
