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Western China’s Sichuan Airlines has joined the parade of Chinese carriers to Australia, launching three times weekly services from Chengdu to Melbourne.
Sichuan, which launched international services in June 2012, will also establish an office in Melbourne.
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The announcement follows a trade mission to China by the Victorian government, which hailed the deal as a step toward establishing Melbourne as Australia’s top gateway to the booming Chinese passenger market. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, has a population of about 14.7 million people.
“We aggressively pursued this deal as part of our long-term strategy to seek new opportunities in western China,” Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu said in a statement. “Direct air services between Melbourne and Chengdu will increase business, education and tourism ties between Victoria and China.”
Sichuan will join China Eastern, China Southern and Air China with direct flights to Melbourne. Chinese overnight visitors increased by 27 per cent in the last financial year, according to Tourism Victoria.
