As the aviation gateway to Victoria, Melbourne Airport is at the heart of the growth in passenger numbers and airline services from China and the strengthening of business, education and tourism connections between our countries.
Almost half a million Chinese passengers travelled through Melbourne Airport in 2012, which represented a 16 percent increase on the previous year. The number of Australian residents travelling to China through Melbourne Airport also increased by an average of 8 percent a year over the last couple of years.
The total growth in passenger traffic from Melbourne to China has outpaced the growth for Australia overall, and has been more than double the growth in passengers travelling through Sydney.
When Sichuan Airlines’ inaugural flight from Chengdu touched down at Melbourne Airport at the end of February, it was another auspicious milestone in the development of Melbourne Airport’s relationship with China. For the first time, Victoria was directly connected by air to the booming western region of China, offering new opportunities to strengthen our business, tourism and people-to-people relationships. Melbourne is only the second long-haul destination for Sichuan Airlines which will fly here three times a week.
In addition to the new air service, Melbourne Airport has established a ‘sister airport’ relationship with Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to support closer ties between the two airports.
Melbourne Airport CEO, Chris Woodruff said: “We will share knowledge, experiences and best practice in areas such as route development, operations, planning and retailing.
“Through this cooperation we will help facilitate greater visitation between Chengdu and Melbourne and enhance both airports for airline customers, passengers and all stakeholders alike,” Mr Woodruff said.
Mr Woodruff and Melbourne Airport staff visit China several times a year to build closer relationships with their peers in Chinese airlines, airports and government agencies.
This growth in Chinese passengers has contributed to Victoria’s success as a destination for tourists from China which is now the State’s most valuable international tourism market and the largest source of international overnight visitors. Melbourne is a welcoming and cosmopolitan city, and is Australia’s leading destination for sporting, cultural and business events. Regional Victoria offers many unique natural attractions and experiences.
The Victorian Government has a China Tourism Strategy to help make Victoria an even more attractive
destination in the future for visitors from China.
As the gateway to Victoria for many of these visitors, Melbourne Airport has developed a Chinese customer service strategy to make our passengers from China feel more welcome and to help them navigate the airport more easily.
This includes public announcements and signage in English and Mandarin, as well as facilitation for departing groups through check-in and security by Mandarin-speaking members. Airport staff are also offered language and cultural awareness training to help provide a better experience for Chinese visitors.
The growth in passenger numbers and airline services from China is part of the overall growth of Melbourne Airport in recent years. More than 29 million domestic and international passengers travelled through the airport in 2012, and this number is forecast to grow to 40 million passengers annually by 2020.
Passenger numbers are only part of the story however. Melbourne Airport is also the leading Australian airport for air freight exports. Just over 36 percent of all air freight exports from Australia leave from Melbourne Airport to markets around the world, including China. More than $1 billion worth of air freight imports from China were landed at Melbourne Airport during the year.
To support this growth in both passenger and freight movements, Melbourne Airport will be making significant investments in airport infrastructure in coming years, including a new domestic terminal precinct, further upgrades to existing terminals – including the international arrivals hall, and new roads to help move people and goods more efficiently around the airport precinct.
Melbourne Airport is also developing its new master plan which, subject to Commonwealth Government approval, will guide the development of the airport over the next two decades. This includes plans for a third runway to accommodate the increased numbers of flights to and from Melbourne in the future, which will undoubtedly include more direct flights from China as our economic, social and cultural connections continue to develop. ■
*Pictured from top to bottom: Melbourne Airport at Dawn; Welcoming Sichuan Airlines to Melbourne on February 28, 2013; Signing of the MoU between Melbourne Airport and Chengdu’s Shuangliu International Airport in April 2012; Special Chinese group facilitation.
Melbourne Airport (MEL) facts:
Location: 22 km north-west of Melbourne CBD
Passenger numbers 2012: 29.1 million
Opened: July 1970
Area: 2,400 hectares
Operations: 24 hours a day
For more information
Carl Jones, Head of Airline Business Development
T: + 61 3 9297 1189
Or
Susan Su, Business Development & Liaison Manager – China
T: +61 3 9297 1562
