One of China’s leading privately-owned airlines has announced plans to launch direct flights between Melbourne Airport and Shanghai from December.

Juneyao Airlines will operate a base schedule of three weekly flights from Melbourne Airport from 19 December, increasing to a peak season daily service for January and February.

The new flights will mark the first time Juneyao Airlines has flown to Australia and will operate using the airline’s flagship Boeing 787-9, which features 324 seats, including 29 lie-flat business class seats.

Juneyao Airlines’ arrival will put Melbourne Airport’s mainland Chinese seat capacity above pre-pandemic levels.

It comes as Melbourne Airport marks a significant milestone in the upgrade of its international baggage handling system, with the arrival of more than $50 million worth of baggage conveyer systems.

The half-a-billion-dollar T2 Next project is replacing traditional baggage belts with a new tote-based system, allowing for real-time bag tracking and paving the way for an eventual introduction of anytime check-in.

Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said the arrival of Juneyao Airlines underscored the need for ongoing investment in the international terminal and new airfield infrastructure.

“We are thrilled to welcome Juneyao Airlines to Melbourne and look forward to working with them to make this service a success,” she said.

“Choosing Melbourne as their first Australian destination is an incredible vote of confidence in Victoria, and Juneyao Airlines’ quality service and extra cargo capacity 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 $154 million to the Victorian economy, it highlights the need for our investment in projects such as the international terminal upgrades and three-billion-dollar third runway.

“The third runway will ensure the airport is not capacity constrained in the future, so our existing airlines can grow and new players can enter the market, which means more choice for travellers.”