Beijing Capital Airlines will launch flights between Melbourne and the Chinese cities of Qingdao and Shenyang in September 2016.

While lesser-known than Beijing itself, Qingdao is renowned for its popular Tsingtao beer and is also home to Haier and Hisense which manufacture white goods and electronics, respectively.

Shenyang is too no small city with an urban population north of six million with a focus on heavy industry, software, automotive, electronics and banking.

Using an Airbus A330 aircraft, the HNA Group airline – part of the same company which also invests in Virgin Australia – will fly the route three times per week in each direction, using Qingdao as a stopping point between Melbourne and Shenyang.

Beijing Capital Airlines: Melbourne flight schedule

Departing Melbourne on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays from September 30, flight JD462 is wheels-up at 11:25am to reach Qingdao at 8:05pm. That’s where all passengers clear Chinese immigration and those flying onwards to Shenyang depart again at 10:05pm local time for a final arrival at 11:35pm.

On the return, JD461 takes to the skies on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, leaving Shenyang at 3:25pm for a 4:55pm arrival into Qingdao, continuing to Melbourne at 6:55pm and reaching the Victorian capital at 9:25am the following morning.

“We’ve seen consistent growth in the numbers of Chinese passengers arriving in Melbourne to visit Victoria and Beijing Capital Airlines will provide opportunity for more visitors from China,” said Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi.

“China has been a significant force in Melbourne’s international passenger growth, and our work with our Chinese airline customers is coming to fruition with more airlines offering services to Melbourne from China,” Strambi added in light of new flights to Xiamen, China.

Beijing Capital Airlines’ Airbus A330s offer travellers both business class and economy.

Also read: XiamenAir launches flights between Melbourne and Xiamen

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