Australia Welcomes Ten New International Routes This December

Australia is set to enhance its international connectivity with the introduction of ten new and returning passenger routes this December. Several of these routes have already commenced, featuring significant additions such as Jetstar’s inaugural nonstop service from Australia to Cebu in the Philippines. This expansion follows a series of international connections that began in November, including Virgin Australia’s new service from Melbourne to Doha, its fourth and final Middle Eastern route in partnership with Qatar Airways.

Key New Routes and Developments

Six Australian cities will benefit from these new international routes, marking a notable trend in expanding access for smaller destinations like Adelaide and Darwin. Among the ten new services, three are entirely new markets, with no prior airline serving the specified city pairs. Additionally, many of the other routes represent new entries for the airlines involved.

American Airlines will double its routes to Brisbane, while Delta Air Lines resumes service to Melbourne. Notably, United Airlines will launch its first-ever direct flight from San Francisco to Adelaide on December 11, 2023, arriving on December 13 at 09:30. This development marks the first North American flights to South Australia, expanding United’s presence in Australia to four cities: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

The newly introduced routes are as follows:

– **American Airlines**: Los Angeles to Brisbane (three weekly flights using the Boeing 787-9).
– **China Southern**: Guangzhou to Darwin (three weekly flights using the Boeing 737 MAX 8).
– **Delta Air Lines**: Los Angeles to Melbourne (three weekly flights using the Airbus A350-900).
– **Hong Kong Airlines**: Hong Kong to Melbourne (three weekly flights using the Airbus A330-300).
– **Jetstar**: Brisbane to Cebu (three weekly flights using the Airbus A321LR).
– **Qantas**: Perth to Auckland (three weekly flights using the Airbus A330-200).
– **Qantas**: Perth to Johannesburg (three weekly flights using the Airbus A330-200).
– **Qantas**: Sydney to Sapporo (three weekly flights using the Airbus A330-200).
– **Shenzhen Airlines**: Shenzhen to Melbourne (three weekly flights using the Airbus A330-300).
– **United Airlines**: San Francisco to Adelaide (three weekly flights using the Boeing 787-9).

Connecting Australia and the World

On December 7, Qantas also recommenced two international routes from Perth. The airline operated flights from Auckland to Perth, utilizing the 15.1-year-old VH-EBP aircraft. This aircraft subsequently flew from Perth to Johannesburg, creating a connection for passengers intending to reach New Zealand’s largest city. According to booking data, the South Africa-Australia market is substantial, with over 200,000 South African nationals residing in Australia, primarily concentrated in Perth.

In another significant development, the route from mainland China to Darwin has been revived with China Southern’s new flights from Guangzhou. While this market was small, with only a few thousand travelers in the year leading to September, there is potential for growth. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 36,000 round-trip passengers traveled this route in 2019, primarily due to services offered by Donghai Airlines.

As the summer season approaches in Australia, the demand for international travel is expected to surge, particularly around the Christmas period. This expansion of routes not only enhances Australia’s global connectivity but also offers travelers more options and convenience as they plan their journeys.