China Southern launched non-stop flight from Guangzhou to Adelaide

ADELAIDE – China Southern Airlines operated a near-full inaugural flight from Guangzhou to Adelaide – the latest destination in the airline’s expanding Australia network. 

 

Followed the arrival of Flight CZ663, a water-canon salutes and welcome ceremony was organized to celebrate the special occasion with the airline’s inaugural passengers.

 

China Southern has become the first Chinese airline to operate non-stop flight to South Australia commercially, the new service is three-times-weekly direct flight. It is operated by China Southern’s Brand-new Airbus A330-200 aircraft in classical three-class configuration featuring refreshed First Class, Business Class as well as long-haul Economy Class seats. Together with the premium service provided by China Southern’s cabin crew, and most advanced inflight on-demand entertainment system in all classes, passengers will enjoy a superior inflight experience when travelling between Guangzhou and Adelaide.

 

 

Mr. Tan Wangeng, President & CEO of China Southern Airlines said:” We are pleased to launch the new services to Adelaide to meet ongoing business and leisure travel demand. In the future, China Southern will continue to optimize our domestic and Australian “Canton Route” network, as we are fully committed to the Australia market.”

 

Since 2011, China Southern Airlines had become the largest air carrier in the China-Australia market. In 2015, China Southern carried 866,000 passengers, accounting for more than 30% market share. With the successful launch of the Guangzhou-Adelaide air service, China Southern currently operates 112 weekly flights a week between China and Australia in both directions, covering major metropolitan cities in Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and now Adelaide.

 

Adelaide is the capital city of the state of South Australia, and the fifth-most populous city of Australia. As South Australia’s seat of government and commercial center, Adelaide is the site of many governmental and financial institutions. Adelaide is noted for its many festivals and sporting events, its food and wine, its long beachfronts, and its large defense and manufacturing sectors. It ranks highly in terms of livability, being listed in the Top 10 of The Economist Intelligence Unit’s World’s Most Livable Cities index in 2010, 2011,2012 and 2015.It was also ranked the most livable city in Australia by the Property Council of Australia in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

 

 

“December is the peak season travelling to Australia, the inaugural flight from Guangzhou to Adelaide meets the need of high quality and in-depth travel of Chinese tourists,” says Rodney Harrex, Chief Executive of South Australian Tourism Commission. “Adelaide offers the most authentic natural scenery, the most friendly and enthusiastic custom, we expect more and more Chinese tourists to take China Southern direct flight to Adelaide, South Australia.”

 

Flight no	From	To	Departure/Arrival	Days of operation
CZ663	CAN	ADL	2210/0930 +1	Mon, Wed and Sat
CZ664	ADL	CAN	1100/1850	Tue, Thu and Sun

 

China Southern Airlines and Tourism Australia have also deepened their commercial relationship, signing a new partnership agreement that will accelerate their existing marketing activities in China.

 

The three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Adelaide by China Southern Airlines Director General, Commercial Steering Committee Guo Jianye and Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan. The signing was witnessed by China Southern Airlines President and CEO Tan Wan Geng and Tourism Australia Chairman Tony South.

 

The ceremony took place just hours after the arrival at Adelaide Airport of China Southern Airlines flight CZ663 from Guangzhou.

 

As part of the new deal, funding will go towards a range of campaigns and joint promotional activities, targeting Australia’s most valuable inbound market currently delivering close to 1.2m visitor arrivals and worth A$9 billion a year.

 

 

President Tan said that he had great confidence in the Australian market.

 

“Australia is a market we value highly and a market where we still see opportunities to expand our operations further, as demonstrated by our decision to add Adelaide to our global network,” he said.

 

Mr O’Sullivan said that building a strong relationship with China Southern Airlines had been a top priority for Tourism Australia since its long-term, strategic plan for China was unveiled in 2010. 

 

“China Southern continues to invest significantly in its Australian network and in Australian tourism. The airline now carries a fifth of all Chinese arrivals into Australia, more than any other international carrier. As we approach 2017, the designated ‘Australia-China Year of Tourism’, we look forward to building upon this important partnership,” Mr O’Sullivan said.