The arrival of the first Hong Kong Airlines flight into Melbourne marks a significant boost for Victoria’s visitor economy. The inaugural service, featuring an Airbus A330, landed at Melbourne Airport this morning. This new route will operate three times a week, specifically on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, adding approximately 93,600 additional seats annually between Victoria and Hong Kong.
The direct flights offer travelers convenient onward connections to over 30 destinations across Asia and North America, including major cities like Tokyo and Vancouver. This expansion is expected to enhance opportunities for more travelers to explore Victoria’s vibrant events, hospitality, and attractions.
In the year ending June 2025, Victoria welcomed over 95,700 visitors from Hong Kong, contributing $266 million in visitor spending. This makes Hong Kong the state’s seventh-largest visitor market. The new service is also anticipated to strengthen trade links and export opportunities by increasing direct access to a significant consumer market, along with providing additional freight capacity.
Support from the Allan Labor Government
The agreement is part of the Allan Labor Government’s $7 million Industry Partnership Program, an initiative outlined in the Economic Growth Statement, aimed at fostering economic growth through partnerships. The program encourages industry partners to match government investments on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Since its inception, several partnerships have been established with notable organizations, including Accor, Alpine Resorts Victoria, and Trip.com.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos expressed optimism regarding the new service, stating, “This new service is another win for our visitor economy which supports 288,000 jobs across the state.” He emphasized that the route will contribute to the growth of a key market, attracting more tourists to Melbourne and surrounding regions, thereby keeping hotels and local businesses bustling.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements highlighted the importance of the partnership-driven approach, noting that it transforms interest into actual visitation. “We are building Victoria’s record $43.7 billion visitor economy in the process,” he stated.
Melbourne Airport’s Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos remarked on the significance of recent expansions in bilateral air traffic rights between Hong Kong and Australia, which facilitated the launch of this service. He added that the new flights could inject millions of dollars into the Victorian economy.
This new connection not only opens doors for tourism but also fosters economic growth by enhancing Victoria’s global connectivity. The collaboration between the Allan Labor Government and Hong Kong Airlines is set to create a lasting impact on both the local economy and the travel experience for visitors.
