Expansion in air services between Australia and China

Air China

Recent developments pertaining to China’s free trade agreement has seen an expansion in the air services arrangement between Australia and China.

Under the new arrangement, both Australian and Chinese airlines can now operate up to 26,500 seats per week, between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth and Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. An increase of approximately 18% on current routes.

This increased connectivity between the two economies opens up exciting opportunities for the Australian travel and tourism industry to capitalise on this fast-growing market. Last financial year, 760,000 Chinese travellers spent close to $5 billion dollars in Australia.

In a recent statement made by Trade Minister Andrew Robb, he said that “China is our most valuable tourism export market. This agreement – along with the launch of the recent pilot program for online visa applications by Chinese visitors – means our tourism sector is well primed for 2015,”

This landmark development is changing the face of the tourism industry between Australia and China.