China Eastern inaugural service to MEL!

China Eastern Airlines Flies South 16 December 2003

Victoria’s fastest growing tourism market received a further boost today, with the arrival of the inaugural flight of China Eastern Airlines’ new twice-weekly Melbourne service.

China Eastern Airlines is a Shanghai-based carrier with networks throughout Asia, Europe and America, and is one of three Chinese airlines operating at Melbourne Airport. The new Melbourne service operates between Shanghai and Melbourne – via Sydney outbound. The commencement of China Eastern Airlines services will add over 1,100 seats per week, both ways, on this burgeoning route.

Melbourne Airport CEO, Chris Barlow, welcomed China Eastern Airlines to Melbourne, saying that rapid tourism growth between Victoria and China would ensure the new service was a success.

“China is one of Victoria’s most important tourism markets, recording phenomenal growth in recent years and heralding enormous potential for the future. With over 800,000 visitors forecast by 2012, China is expected to become one of Australia’s largest inbound tourism markets within the next decade,” said Mr Barlow.

“The number of Chinese passengers arriving directly into Melbourne has grown by almost 33% every year for the past three years whilst at the same time, the number of Australians departing for China has grown by 23% every year. That is almost triple the Australian average growth – both inbound and outbound – for this market.”

“This has made China the fastest growing tourism market for Victoria. The extra capacity from China Eastern Airlines’ new service will only enhance that growth.”

China Eastern Service New service – commencing 16 December 2003
2 flights per week – Tuesday and Friday.
SHANGHAI / MELBOURNE / SYDNEY / SHANGHAI
Airbus A340-300 aircraft
Over 1,100 seats per week, both ways.