Beijing’s Daxing Airport now has a direct link to Australia’s favourite airport, with China Southern Airlines launching flights from the Chinese capital to Melbourne Airport.

The seasonal service will operate three times per week for ten weeks using Airbus A330-300s and will mark the first time Melbourne has had a direct connection with Beijing Daxing, China’s newest and largest aviation hub.

These flights will further support the growth of international traffic at Melbourne Airport, following the strongest November on record with almost a million international passengers.

Melbourne Airport welcomed a total of 951,595 international travellers last month, which represents an eight per cent year-on-year increase.

Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the direct Daxing service would improve connectivity into mainland China for both travellers and exporters.

“Connectivity with mainland China continues to improve and this new route to the centrally located Beijing Daxing Airport will provide passengers with easy access to key business and cultural centres in northern China.

“While our international market has well and truly moved from recovery to growth, we are now starting to see the Chinese market recovery gain pace with capacity now back above pre-pandemic levels and passenger levels climbing.

“The added competition we have brought into the international market has delivered customers choice and value which, despite cost-of-living pressures, people are embracing.

“To cater for our passenger growth, we are upgrading infrastructure across the airport. This includes working closely with Australian Border Force to deliver more kiosks in international arrivals as our current allocation is insufficient to cope with growing demand.”

 
Passenger figures for November 2024:

*Monthly percentage growth compared to November 2023  
 

Passenger figures for Financial Year to November 

*percentage growth compared to FY 2023/24