• New airline and new route for Sydney Airport
• Boost for business and tourism
• Sydney Airport a long haul leader for China with eight airlines serving 15 mainland Chinese cities

Sydney Airport today welcomed the inaugural arrival of its seventh mainland Chinese airline, Capital Airlines, which has launched a new Qingdao-Sydney route.

The new service will operate four times weekly on an A330-200 aircraft with 222 seats, adding 92,000 seats annually.

Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather said the new airline would boost business and tourism to our city.

“As a world leading airport for Chinese long haul routes, we’re very proud to welcome this new airline and new route,” Ms Mather said.

“We’re thrilled that Capital Airlines’ new service is expected to bring an additional 24,000 Chinese visitors annually and generate $100 million in additional visitor expenditure per year for NSW.

“Sydneysiders can also now directly access a new tourism destination to discover Qingdao’s beautiful beaches, historic architecture, magnificent mountains and of course visit the city’s world famous Tsingtao brewery museum.”

Capital Airlines Vice President Qu Tao said the airline was excited to be launching its new service to Sydney, which is renowned for its natural beauty, great climate and vibrant culture.

"Australia is an important inbound source market for Shandong and one of the favourite tourism destinations for many Shandong tourists,” Mr Qu said.

“On the occasion of the 'China-Australia Tourism Year', Capital Airlines' launch of the Qingdao-Sydney route helps establish another passageway in the sky between China and New South Wales, to help facilitate and promote trade development and tourism between the two cities.”

Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Treasurer Jonathan O’Dea MP welcomed the new service which follows the NSW Government’s recently announced partnership with the airline.

“It’s fantastic to see the new Qingdao to Sydney service touch down in NSW today, bringing with it the start of more Chinese visitors exploring our sparkling Harbour City and travelling beyond into our regional and rural destinations,” Mr O’Dea said.

“The aviation industry remains a key player in turbocharging tourism growth across NSW and we look forward to working with Capital Airlines and our travel trade partners to promote itineraries that encourage Chinese visitors to spend more time in Australia’s number one tourism and events State.”

Qingdao is a vital hub for Capital Airlines, as passengers can connect onto the airline’s new Vancouver or London Heathrow services, or utilise its partner HNA Group’s services through Qingdao Liuting Airport to 17 domestic ports across China. Qingdao also has a 72-hour visa-free transit policy for Australian passport holders transferring via the airport.

Flight schedule

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday: JD479 departs Qingdao at 1550, arrives in Sydney at 0655+1
• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: JD480 departs Sydney at 1100, arrives in Qingdao at 2005
• Saturday: JD480 departs Sydney at 0935, arrives in Qingdao at 1905