The FINANCIAL — Perth Airport has welcomed today’s announcement by China Southern Airlines that it will operate a fifth flight per week between Perth and Guangzhou from 29 October 2017.
China Southern Airlines’ new schedule will see CZ 319 departing Guangzhou at 10.30pm and arriving into Perth at 6.30am. CZ 320 will depart Perth on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 8.30am and arriving into Guangzhou at 4.30pm.
China Southern Airlines will also replace the A332 aircraft that currently operates on the route with a brand new Airbus A33B. The A33B has 258 seats, comprising 30 business class, 41 premium economy and 187 economy seats, according to Perth Airport.
“The introduction of an additional service on a brand new Airbus A33B aircraft reaffirms China Southern Airlines commitment to Western Australia as a destination,” said Kevin Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Perth Airport.
“The additional service and aircraft upgrade means an additional 43,888 passengers can travel between Perth and Guangzhou per year – an incredible 48.6 per cent increase in seat capacity on the route to a total of 134,160 seats per annum.
“It is estimated that one daily international direct flight service could deliver an additional $70 million to our State’s economy and create more than 600 new jobs.
“It is fantastic to hear this announcement in 2017, which also marks the China-Australia Year of Tourism, celebrating the close relationship between the two countries and recognises the importance of the China market for Australia’s tourism industry.
“Since introducing their Perth services in 2011, China Southern Airlines has significantly stimulated the Chinese market, becoming Western Australia’s sixth biggest international visitor market and injecting $271 million in visitor spend into the WA economy last year,” continued Mr Brown.
According to Tourism Research Australia, Chinese tourist visitor numbers to Western Australia in 2011 was 23,000 per year which has increased to 52,600 and for the year ending March 2017.
“China Southern Airlines provides strategic connectivity to the Chinese market and offers great growth potential, not only from a tourism perspective, but also by attracting business travellers, international students and a number of export opportunities, said Mr Brown.
Perth Airport is committed to supporting Western Australian tourism through increased services and establishing new and improved airline partnerships that encourage growth in visitor numbers to Perth and Western Australia.
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