China Eastern Airlines’ inaugural flight from Nanjing landed in Melbourne last week, marking the first-ever direct connection between the Australian state of Victoria and its sister state, Jiangsu Province in China.

A Much-Anticipated Connection

Before this launch, Nanjing was one of the largest unserved markets in China at Melbourne Airport, with more than 60,000 passengers travelling between Nanjing and Melbourne each year. The new service, operating on a two-class Airbus A330, will run every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, arriving from Nanjing at 10:00 AM and departing Melbourne at midday.

A Boost to Flight Operations

With this addition, China Eastern is now operating 13 flights a week out of Melbourne, three more than before the pandemic. This increased capacity brings the Chinese market back to 92 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

A Win for Victorian Export and Tourism

Melbourne Airport’s Chief of Aviation, Jim Parashos, expressed his enthusiasm about the new flights, stating that they unlock another vital high-value market for Victorian export and tourism. “China is such a critical market for Melbourne Airport and for the state: a daily international flight from China to Melbourne brings in more than $150 million for the Victorian economy,” he said.

The Road to Recovery

The Chinese market has been slow to recover, but green shoots are appearing, thanks in large part to the support of airlines like China Eastern, which have invested in Melbourne. “The number of China Eastern flights into Melbourne Airport is now 30 per cent higher than before Covid, and that growth is made possible by the open skies agreement between China and Australia, which gives airlines certainty to expand existing footprints across the nation,” Parashos added.

This new connection between Nanjing and Melbourne is more than just a flight route—it’s a bridge between cultures, economies, and people. It’s a testament to the aviation industry’s resilience and a beacon of hope for the future of international travel.