Melbourne Airport wants City of Melbourne to join push for more China flights to Tullamarine

With travel between China and Melbourne booming, Melbourne Airport wants the city council to join its China-bound delegation to secure even more air services for the city.

A taxi rank at Melbourne Airport. Picture: Josie Hayden

A City of Melbourne councillor will go to China to help secure more international flights from the Asian powerhouse.

A council meeting on Tuesday is expected to approve the $5000 trip this month by international engagement portfolio chairman Philip Le Liu.

City of Melbourne councillor Philip Le Liu has responsibility for tourism issues. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Cr Le Liu will join a Melbourne Airport delegation led by airport CEO Lyell Strambi to meet senior Chinese government culture and tourism officials in Beijing.

“At present, there are a large number of Chinese airlines with direct flights between China and Melbourne, and this has resulted in strong growth in the tourism sector for Melbourne and Victoria,” said a report to go before councillors.

Melbourne Airport is pushing for more flights from China. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

The report said airport management wanted the council’s help to enhance the relationship and encourage greater support for Melbourne as a preferred tourism destination.

Cr Le Liu has strong links with China, and has a particular interest in overseas students doing courses in Melbourne.

Last month, the council was rocked by a claim by Cr Jackie Watts of alleged Chinese consular interference in council matters.

Cr Watts said she had been dissuaded from putting up a motion regarding the 30th anniversary of Beijing’s Tiananmen Square massacre at a June 4 meeting.

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Lord Mayor Sally Capp said she spoke to China’s Consul-General about the proposal, but denied receiving any pressure over the issue.

No mention of the Tiananmen anniversary was made at the meeting.

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