Australian airports are preparing for a surge in flights to China as airlines expand services ahead of the summer travel peak.
Air China doubles capacity on key routes
Air China will nearly double its capacity to Australia and New Zealand in the coming months. The carrier will add flights to Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland. Its Sydney-Beijing (Capital) service will increase from seven to 10 weekly flights starting December 1, then to twice daily from mid-January through late February 2027. The additional flights will use B787-9 aircraft.
Melbourne Airport confirmed the airline will also boost its Melbourne-Beijing route from four to five weekly flights beginning December 5, before shifting to daily service in early January. The expanded schedule will run through March 1, with A330-300 aircraft operating the route.
Auckland will see a similar increase. Air China will raise its Beijing flights from five per week to daily service between December 1 and mid-January, then to twice daily through late February.
China Eastern and China Airlines follow with expansions
China Eastern Airlines will add a third daily flight between Sydney and Shanghai Pudong from December 11 to February 15, 2027, using A330-200 aircraft. The airline will also increase Brisbane-Shanghai service from seven to 10 weekly flights over the same period. Its Adelaide route, launched last month, remains the only direct link between South Australia and mainland China.
Taiwan’s China Airlines will expand its Australasian network later this year. Sydney-Taipei flights will grow from five to seven weekly starting October 25, while Melbourne-Taipei service will increase from four to five weekly flights on October 28. Brisbane will gain one additional weekly flight beginning October 26, supplementing its existing five-times-weekly Brisbane-Taipei-Auckland route. All flights will use A350-900 aircraft.
China has become the fastest-growing destination for Australian travelers. Government data shows a 34% year-on-year increase in short-term resident returns from the country in April, with 90,930 trips recorded. March saw a 31% rise, making it the top growth market for two consecutive months.
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Search data from Skyscanner supports this trend. Over the past six months, flight searches for China rose 44% year-on-year, outpacing Japan’s 41% growth. The platform notes Gen Z travelers are increasingly choosing China for its cultural and tourist attractions, which they find less crowded than Japan’s.
The change reflects broader shifts in travel preferences. For years, Japan was the preferred Asian destination for Australians, but infrastructure improvements and efforts to diversify tourism have made China a more appealing option. The country’s high-speed rail network, expanded hotel capacity, and simplified visa processes have reduced many logistical barriers.
Wendy Wu, founder of Wendy Wu Tours, said earlier this year that China’s transformation has been significant. “If you’re thinking of going to China, go now,” she advised. “Many aspects of the country will surprise you—you might expect a developing nation, but it’s far more advanced.”
The airline expansions arrive as Australia’s tourism sector recovers from pandemic disruptions. While international arrivals have bounced back, capacity limits and strong demand have kept ticket prices high. The new flights may help ease costs, though analysts warn long-term growth depends on sustained interest and stable operations.
Summer holidays are approaching.
Airports in Sydney and Melbourne are preparing for higher passenger volumes, especially on routes to China. The additional services could also help business travelers, who have had fewer direct connections since the pandemic.
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