Hong Kong Airlines announced that it will launch a new direct service to Melbourne from 12 December 2025. The new route will operate three times a week, offering travellers more flexible and convenient options for travel to Australia. To commemorate this significant milestone, a signing ceremony was held at Melbourne Airport, attended by representatives from Hong Kong Airlines, Melbourne Airport as well as Victorian Government.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hong Kong Airlines President Jeff Sun said: "This has been a year of significant progress for our Australian market strategy. Following the resumption of our Gold Coast service in January and the launch of our Sydney route in June, we are delighted to add Melbourne as another key destination within just six months. This establishes Hong Kong Airlines as the second local carrier to offer direct flights to Australia's major cities and marks 2025 as a crucial milestone in our international transformation."
“This new service will not only provide passengers a competitive and high-quality travel option but will also cater to the diverse needs of business and leisure travellers, further deepening the trade, cultural, and tourism ties between Hong Kong and Melbourne. The launch of this service was made possible by the proactive support of the government from both cities. Looking ahead, we will leverage the enhanced capacity of Hong Kong International Airport's Three-Runway System to open up more attractive new destinations for our passengers."
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said the arrival of Hong Kong Airlines will provide more choice and greater capacity into one of Asia’s biggest international hubs.
“The growth in our international market shows the importance of competition and choice, which is why we are so excited to welcome Hong Kong Airlines to the mix today. Hong Kong is the fourth largest international market for us at Melbourne Airport so I expect there will be strong demand for this service.”
“The aviation landscape is highly competitive and without the work of the Federal Government to expand bilateral air traffic rights along with the great support of the state government and Visit Victoria, we wouldn’t be standing here today.”
Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs at the Victorian Government Danny Pearson, stated: “More flights mean more tourists delivering a stronger economy and more jobs for Victorians – from tour operators to hospitality staff and hotel workers. The additional flights will also increase air freight capacity for Victorian exporters sending their products and produce to Asia.”
The Hong Kong Airlines service to Melbourne will be operated by Airbus A330 aircraft. The flight schedule is flexibly timed to facilitate convenient connections for passengers transiting through Hong Kong to our popular destinations. For example, passengers departing from Melbourne can seamlessly connect to flights to Vancouver, Bali, Tokyo, and Osaka. Similarly, travellers from cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Haikou, Sanya, and Fukuoka can enjoy an efficient and comfortable journey with a seamless transfer in Hong Kong en route to Melbourne.
As Hong Kong's local full-service carrier, Hong Kong Airlines has continuously enhanced its services and expanded its route network, which now covers over 30 destinations worldwide. We are dedicated to providing an exceptional travel experience, featuring comfortable seating in both Business and Economy Class, a curated selection of in-flight dining, in-flight entertainment, and our signature attentive service.
Hong Kong Airlines flight schedule* between Hong Kong and Melbourne is as follows (All times local):
| Route | Flight Number | Departure | Arrival | Frequency |
| HKG – MEL | HX013 | 23:10 | 11:30+1 | Mon, Wed, Fri |
| MEL – HKG | HX014 | 13:00 | 19:20 | Tues, Thurs, Sat |
