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Sydney Airport is set to gain another connection to mainland China, with Shenzhen Airlines launching flights later this year.
Starting December 2026, the carrier will fly four times per week between Sydney and Shenzhen using its A330-300 fleet, adding approximately 130,000 seats per year and supporting around 100,000 annual passengers.
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“We’re pleased to welcome Shenzhen Airlines to Sydney Airport and support the launch of this important new service between Sydney and Shenzhen,” said Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton.
“China remains one of Sydney Airport’s most important international markets, with Chinese nationals the airport’s second-largest international traveller group, up 13.9 percent year-on-year.
“This new route will provide passengers with direct access to one of China’s most dynamic cities, as well as onward connections across Shenzhen Airlines’ extensive domestic and international network across Asia and Europe.”
Shenzhen Airlines will be Sydney Airport’s 10th China-based carrier and its 55th overall. Shenzhen was Sydney’s seventh largest mainland China destination in 2025, with passengers up 16 per cent to 56,000 for the year.
According to Shenzhen Airlines chairman Li Shuxing, the city is one of Sydney’s fastest-growing mainland China markets.
“We are delighted to launch Shenzhen Airlines’ first service to Sydney, connecting one of China’s most dynamic and innovative cities with Australia’s leading international gateway,” he said.
“This new route will provide greater choice and convenience for travellers between Shenzhen and Sydney, while supporting stronger tourism, trade and cultural links between China and Australia.
“Sydney is an important destination for our international network, and we look forward to welcoming passengers on board and working closely with Sydney Airport to make this service a success.”
The airline has operated to Melbourne since 2024, and will compete with China Southern’s temporarily suspended Sydney-Shenzhen service, which is slated to resume later this month.
It comes after a total of 9.96 million passengers travelled through Sydney’s terminals in Q2 2026, down 0.7 per cent on the same period in 2025, but half-yearly passenger traffic was up 1.5 per cent on 2025 levels, with growth in Asian routes helping offset the slump in Middle East demand.
“With more than 20.7 million passengers travelling through the airport in the first half of the year, demand remains ahead of 2025 levels and reinforces Sydney Airport’s role as Australia’s busiest international gateway,” said Charlton last month.
Guangzhou was the top international destination for growth in the quarter, up 50.5 per cent on last year, with Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur both up by more than 14 per cent, and Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo all growing “strongly”.
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