Major milestone for Sydney Airport as eighth Chinese airline returns after almost four years

Sydney Airport has ticked off a major milestone with the return of every Chinese airline that was operating out of the NSW capital before Covid struck.

Sichuan Airlines returns to Sydney for the first time since the pandemic, becoming the eighth Chinese carrier operating between the NSW capital and mainland China. Picture: Kurt Ams

All eight Chinese airlines that operated to Sydney before the Covid pandemic have now returned in a major milestone for the tourism and travel industry.

Sichuan Airlines became the last of the Chinese carriers to touch down late on Monday, in its first flight to Sydney in 45 months.

To mark the occasion, the airport laid on a water-cannon salute as the Sichuan crew unfurled a banner in Chinese declaring “warm welcome Chengdu-Sydney”.

Sichuan Airlines touches down in Sydney on Monday to a water-cannon salute. Picture: Kurt Ams

Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said at the start of the year just three Chinese airlines were flying into Kingsford Smith, operating a mere four return services a week.

Fast forward to November, and eight Chinese carriers will have a total of 85 return services a week, representing 86 per cent of pre-Covid seat capacity.

“The return of Sichuan Airlines comes at a time when capacity to China is nearing pre-Covid levels, something that seemed impossible at the start of the year,” Mr Culbert said.

“The pace at which this market has returned has exceeded our expectations and will play a crucial role in supporting the recovery of tourism, business and student travel and the broader New South Wales economy.”

Based in southwestern China, Sichuan will operate three return services a week between Sydney and Chengdu, increasing to five from November 19.

The fourth largest city by population in China, Chengdu is perhaps best known as the home of the giant panda, and for its natural beauty and spicy hotpot cuisine.

Sichuan Airlines commercial committee general manager Deyun Wu said they were excited to open up the Chengdu to Sydney route, having previously flown Sydney-Chongqing.

“Chengdu is a city that offers visitors unique cultural experiences and natural wonders, from sacred mountains and bamboo forests to spicy Sichuan cuisine and tranquil teahouses,” Mr Wu said.

Other carriers flying between Sydney and mainland China are China Eastern, China Southern, Air China, Beijing Capital, Hainan, Tianjin and Xiamen Airlines as well as Qantas.

Tourism Australia launched its Ruby the Roo “Come and Say G’Day” campaign in Chengdu in June, to help stimulate the return of Chinese visitors.

Ruby the Roo has been bouncing onto electronic billboards all over the world, including in Chengdu, China. Picture: Tourism Australia

Chengdu was chosen as the launch site, because of its high impact 3D billboards that regularly captured national headlines in China.

Prior to the Covid pandemic, China was Australia’s biggest source of inbound tourists, with more than 1.4 million visiting in 2019 and spending almost $12.4bn.

In August, Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed China was already back to Australia’s second largest international visitor market, with close to 60,000 short-term arrivals, behind New Zealand with 105,000.

Originally published as Major milestone for Sydney Airport as eighth Chinese airline returns after almost four years