Name: Hong Kong Airlines launches direct Melbourne flights
Uploaded: 2025-12-13T06:32:04.915Z
Duration: 1 min 46 s
Description: Hong Kong Airlines has commenced its inaugural direct flights to Melbourne, increasing competition and travel options between Australia and Hong Kong. The new service is expected to benefit students, business travelers, and families.

Hong Kong Airlines has commenced its inaugural direct flights to Melbourne, increasing competition and travel options between Australia and Hong Kong. The new service is expected to benefit students, business travelers, and families.

Melbourne

Hong Kong Airlines has launched its first direct flight to Melbourne, marking the culmination of ten years of planning. The inaugural flight, piloted by the airline's President, was welcomed with celebrations at the terminal and is expected to provide more travel options for students, business travelers, and those visiting family.

The new service will operate three times a week, joining two other airlines on the route and increasing competition. With over 100,000 Australians living in Hong Kong and a similar number of Hong Kong residents in Australia, the route is significant for both countries. The airline plans to increase flight frequency to daily between December and February next year, depending on demand.

Hong Kong Airlines launches direct Melbourne flights

A decade in the making, Hong Kong Airlines finally touched down in Melbourne and given a grand welcome. The President piloting the inaugural flight. How was it? Oh, exciting. Great. It's a nice flight. Yeah, on time, smoothly. In the terminal where travellers were checking in for their long haul, celebrations continued. And good fortune was spread. It's great for students. It's great for business travellers. It's great for those that are wanting to connect with family and friends. Two other airlines already fly direct, but this means more competition and cheaper flights. When there's more flight going back, it means more chances for us to visit home. The new service will operate three times a week. Hong Kong is already Melbourne's fourth busiest route. There are more than 100,000 Australians living in Hong Kong and more than 100,000 people from Hong Kong living in Australia. The airlines successfully launched direct flights to Sydney and the Gold Coast earlier this year, with occupancy fluctuating seasonally, but sitting above 80%. Tourism is a big factor for inbound passengers, especially to Queensland. But Victoria's coastline attractions are expecting a million dollar boost from the extra 93,000 seats. 51% of our market is international and Hong Kong sits number two on that. With plans already in the works to ramp up these long hauls. By this time next year, if all things go to plan, I would like to think that at least between December and February of next year, we can get this to daily. Ashley Paholic, 10 News.

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