An increase in Chinese travelers through Melbourne Airport is expected to continue in December, with three additional airlines operating direct daily flights.
(At the moment five flights arrive simultaneously and the airport struggles to deal with 2,000 passengers.)
The airport’s international passenger numbers for November increased by 9.6%last year, with a 26.7% in Chinese passport holders. The 38,700 Chinese commuters surpassed the number of visitors from the traditional UK market.
SMH.co.au reported Chris Woodruff, Melbourne airport manager, as saying, "With three airlines – Air China, China Eastern and China Southern – now flying daily direct services between Melbourne and China for the first time, the potential of China to become Melbourne’s major tourism market is becoming more and more apparent."