Christmas came early for Victorian travellers and tourism operators, with Shenzhen Airlines launching its first-ever flights to Australia and choosing Melbourne as its debut gateway. The Star Alliance carrier’s inaugural service from Shenzhen’s Bao’an Airport landed at Melbourne Airport on 23 December, adding a major new link between Victoria and one of China’s fastest‑growing mega‑cities.
Melbourne Welcomes Its 42nd International Airline
Shenzhen Airlines will operate three flights per week between Shenzhen and Melbourne using Airbus A330‑300 aircraft, injecting more than 95,000 seats a year into the Australia–China market. The new route makes Shenzhen Airlines the 42nd carrier serving Tullamarine, nudging the airport past its pre‑Covid record of 41 airlines and underscoring Melbourne’s position as Australia’s busiest 24/7 international hub.
The arrival also lifts Melbourne’s tally of mainland Chinese carriers to 10, reflecting strong demand for both leisure and business travel, as well as freight and trade links with the world’s second‑largest economy. Shenzhen joins heavyweight brands such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines in selecting Melbourne as their first Australian port of call.
A Boost for Victoria’s Visitor Economy and Exports
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said the new service would have benefits that extend well beyond the terminal. Every time an international aircraft lands at Tullamarine, Victoria’s economy is estimated to gain around AUD 500,000 through spending on hotels, restaurants, attractions and retail.
“Melbourne and Victoria have a long and proud connection with China, and we are incredibly pleased to be strengthening that connection with the launch of this new service,” Argus said.
Direct Shenzhen–Melbourne flights will:
- Channel more visitors into Victoria’s tourism hotspots, from laneway dining and major events in Melbourne to regional destinations such as the Great Ocean Road and Yarra Valley.
- Give local exporters faster access to one of China’s largest consumer markets, supporting high‑value shipments of fresh produce, wine, dairy and other premium goods.
To support this growth, Melbourne Airport is investing in an expanded international terminal, a state‑of‑the‑art baggage system and a proposed third runway to keep capacity aligned with rising demand.
Shenzhen: China’s High-Tech Gateway for Aussies
With a fleet of more than 230 aircraft carrying around 40 million passengers annually, Shenzhen Airlines is China’s fifth‑largest airline, operating a network of over 90 domestic and international destinations across China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, the UK and beyond.
Its home city, Shenzhen, is one of China’s largest urban centres, with a catchment of more than 17 million people and a reputation as the “Silicon Valley of China” thanks to its booming tech industry and innovation ecosystem. For Australian travellers, the new route offers:
- Nonstop access to one of China’s most dynamic cities, renowned for food, shopping and nightlife
- A convenient jumping‑off point for exploring the wider Pearl River Delta, including nearby Hong Kong and Guangzhou
“Shenzhen is one of China’s largest technology hubs and a fascinating gateway for Australians looking to explore the booming cities of the Pearl River Delta or beyond,” Argus noted.
Melbourne’s International Network Keeps Growing
Shenzhen Airlines’ debut caps a flurry of network expansion at Melbourne Airport in late 2025. Recent and announced additions include new services from Delta Air Lines to Los Angeles, Hong Kong Airlines, a fresh Melbourne–Bali route, and Finnair’s upcoming non‑stop Melbourne–Helsinki flights, plus Australia’s first‑ever non‑stop commercial service to the Maldives from May 2026.
With Shenzhen Airlines now on the board and further long‑haul routes in the pipeline, Melbourne is consolidating its role as a key Asia‑Pacific gateway – connecting Victoria more deeply to China’s tech capital while offering travellers and exporters more choice than ever before.
