Flying to china - MEL has the options with three carriers to fly daily

[markis10]

Wow - looks like Melbourne is going to get very busy! If anyone was wondering why QF were not looking to the Middle East and instead improving connections ex HKG:

Chinese airlines boost capacity at Melbourne Airport - Melbourne Airport
Chinese airlines boost capacity at Melbourne Airport

Oct 28, 2010

Melbourne Airport is pleased to announce that for the first time three Chinese airlines will serve the Melbourne market with daily flights to China from later this year.
Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff said that Melbourne will have more capacity to China than ever before and that for the first time Victorians would be able to fly direct from Melbourne to Beijing.
"In November, China Eastern will be increasing to daily Shanghai services from four flights per week and in December Air China will be increasing its services from Beijing and Shanghai," he said.
"This follows an earlier announcement by China Southern that its flights from Guangzhou are increasing to daily services from November."
"This increased capacity is in addition to our existing airlines servicing the China market, including Cathay Pacific with its triple-daily services via its Hong Kong hub."
"Chinese passport holders increased by 20.4 per cent in the 12 months to September 2010 to reach 330,000 passengers."

"This strong performance reinforces China's position as a key driver of tourism in Victoria and confirms our view of the significant growth still to be achieved in this market."
"By working together and promoting our magnificent state and city, the Victorian government, tourism bodies and Melbourne Airport are continuing to attract record numbers of Chinese tourists."
"Melbourne Airport has continued to deploy new strategies and tools to support this growing market and ensure Chinese passengers feel welcome when they arrive in Melbourne."
"These initiatives have included providing permanent wayfinding signage, PA announcements and visitor guides in Mandarin, celebrating Chinese cultural events in our international terminal and providing operational and security screening staff with cultural awareness training."
"Melbourne Airport will be investing $1 billion over the next five years to ensure that its terminal facilities, airfield and road infrastructure can meet increasing demand."
"Chinese visitation not only benefits the aviation sector but also has major flow-on benefits for the Victorian economy."
"Our global standing as a key tourism destination and thriving business and education base, along with Melbourne Airport's operational advantages, make Melbourne a sound investment choice for airlines."
"We work hard to keep our charges low and our service levels high. We would like to thank all of our airlines for their continued support and investment in Melbourne Airport."

 

[munitalP]

Good.

Price competition has been needed - hopefully here it is. Sit up and take note Qantas - this may have been karma, the QF search engine kept crashing on me this morning when looking at MEL/SYD/PVG flights for early Jan. I would prefer to just fly direct to Beijing - I have many "to do's" to still check off there...


munitalP

 

[Dalescott]

If any body who reads AFF, and has flown any Chinese airline will know. That Chinese FA's like any Asian FA's, they are totally service orientated. I think Qantas will need to pickup there game a lot, if they want to compete with the Chinese airlines. Qantas FA's are not know for being the most friendly. Also I don't know how male FA's!?!? will be greeted by the Chinese market (if this is the market that Qantas is after). I work with Chinese everyday, so I know what I am talking about.
I don't mean to offend anybody, but Asian, and in particularly Chinese do not think like

Wàiguó rén (Foreigners).​

 

[samh004]

That Chinese FA's like any Asian FA's, they are totally service orientated.

Wouldn’t it matter where they’re from, Shanghai is much more customer-focused than say Beijing, so it would depend where the company is based, what ideology they follow, where the staff are from, how they were trained etc…

As for increase in competition, that’s good, but can’t you fly China Eastern anyway and pickup points/SC’s? I thought they were a QFF partner?

 

[markis10]

As for increase in competition, that’s good, but can’t you fly China Eastern anyway and pickup points/SC’s? I thought they were a QFF partner?

Most partners who are not Oneworld carriers only earn points, nil SC earn.

 

[samh004]

Most partners who are not Oneworld carriers only earn points, nil SC earn.

Ahh, I see the dilemma there.

 

[kamchatsky]

Actually the major airlines in China (PRC) are:

China Eastern: 3 stars China Eastern Airlines Official 3-Star Ranking for China Eastern Airlines product and service quality
Air China: 3 Stars Air China official 3-Star Ranking - Skytrax
China Southern: 3 stars China Southern Airlines Official 3 Star Ranking for China Southern Airlines product and China Southern Airlines service quality

Qantas is 4 stars Qantas Airways official 4-Star Ranking - Skytrax
Cathay Pacific is 5 stars Cathay Pacific Airways official 5-Star Ranking | SKYTRAX

So whilst there are increasing flights to China, the PRC China airlines still have some catch up to do. I know people who flies on those PRC airlines always complain for lack of service. However, most believe that they treat "Wàiguó" much better than Chinese customers themselves.

 

[NM]

Chinese carriers boost capacity to Melbourne

From Australian Aviation:

Melbourne Airport has announced that three Chinese airlines will operate daily services to Melbourne from later this year.