DIRECT flights between Guangzhou and Perth have resumed which WA premier Roger Cook says will open up new opportunities for tourism and trade.
China is the state’s biggest trading partner, with goods exported from WA to China totalling $143 billion in 2023-24.
The China Southern Airlines service will operate three times weekly on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, according to a state government media release on 28 November.
Estimated to provide more than 780 additional inbound seats to WA each week, it will be the first non-stop service between Guangzhou and Western Australia since 2020 and follows the successful seasonal service between Shanghai and Perth operated by China Eastern Airlines earlier this year.
Guangzhou is a vital transport hub for Chinese and international visitors, located about 120 kilometres north-west of Hong Kong on the Pearl River.
Tourism and transport minister Rita Saffioti said the non-stop connection would strengthen inbound tourism and also energise adjacent sectors such as agriculture and business.
She said the flights would solidify the state’s reputation as Australia’s Western Gateway.
China continues to be WA’s biggest tourism market by visitor spend, with 75,000 visitors from China spending $328 million in the state in year ending June 2024.
