Chinese airline Juneyao Air makes inaugural flight to Australia, raising seat capacity to China

Australian flight capacity to a huge Asian destination has increased with the arrival of a new airline in the country servicing Sydney and Melbourne.

Chinese airline Juneyao Air has touched down in Australia for the first time, giving Aussies fresh options to connect with destinations across China.

The ninth Chinese mainland airline to operate at Sydney Airport, the carrier is set to operate four weekly direct flights between the Harbour City and Shanghai.

The inaugural flight, HO1669 from Shanghai, arrived at Sydney Airport at 6.30am on Tuesday.

Juneyao Air was founded in 2006 and in 2019 became the first Chinese privately owned airline to operate intercontinental flights. Picture: Supplied

The airline’s services push Sydney Airport’s seat capacity to mainland China to the highest in the country and 101 per cent of 2019 levels.

This seat capacity was described as “welcome news” for the $50bn annual NSW visitor economy by Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham.

“Increasing aviation capacity into NSW is critical to our plans to grow tourism’s contribution and the 117,000 businesses that make up the sector,” he said.

The inaugural flight, HO1669 from Shanghai, arrived at Sydney Airport at 6.30am on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied

Sydney Airport executive Scott Charlton said the airline’s addition “provides passengers from mainland China with unprecedented choice and convenience when travelling to Sydney”.

“This expansion is a strong vote of confidence in Sydney as the premier gateway to Australia and underscores the enduring appeal of NSW to Chinese travellers,” he said.

Juneyao Air was founded in 2006 and in 2019 became the first Chinese privately owned airline to operate intercontinental flights, beginning with Helsinki.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham welcomed the additional seat capacity to China. Image: Supplied

Melbourne is set to begin flights with Juneyao from Thursday, with Melbourne Airport executive Lorie Argus saying the service will “help further strengthen ties with China”.

“Melbourne Airport will now be served by more international carriers than ever before, and with the average daily international flight worth $154m to the Victorian economy, it highlights the need for our investment in projects such as the international terminal upgrades and $3bn third runway.”