Jake Nelson

China Eastern flight MU715 from Shanghai on Wednesday morning, aboard the A330-200 B-5931, was the first service from mainland China to touch down at Brisbane in 1,359 days, marking the beginning of a three-times-per-week non-stop service that will increase to daily from 8 December.

Sichuan Airlines flight 3U3883 from Chengdu touched down in Sydney on Monday on board an A330-300. With its return, nine airlines including Qantas will offer direct services between Sydney and mainland China, and it is estimated Sydney Airport’s China capacity will be 86 per cent recovered in November.

The overhaul will include new computed tomography (CT) security screening systems in line with federal standards, a mezzanine level for more direct access to security screening, a state-of-the-art baggage system with an entirely new baggage hall, and upgrades to self check-in systems.

The service, which complements Air India’s existing daily Melbourne–Delhi route, will initially operate three times per week using 787-8 Dreamliners starting 15 December with the potential to add capacity based on demand.

The first JQ9 service took off from Brisbane on Tuesday aboard the 787-8 Dreamliner VH-VKG, returning as JQ10. Jetstar will initially operate five return services per week, ramping up to a daily service from December. It is the first of three new Asian routes from Brisbane to be announced over the coming months.

In its first detailed response to the allegations, the Flying Kangaroo said it was “impossible” for any airline to guarantee a service will operate at its scheduled time.