Following the launch of its service to Auckland in December, Chinese carrier Tianjin Airlines is aiming to expand its Australasia footprint with plans to fly to Melbourne from Chongqing later this year.
According to airlineroute.net, an announcement was made by the Civil Aviation Administration of China that the carrier recently submitted applications for the route.
Due to launch on September 27, the new service will operate three times weekly using an Airbus A330.
Details for the flight are as follows (effective October 1 reflecting daylight savings adjustment, all times local):
| Flight No. | From | To | Departs | Arrives | Days |
| GS7945 | Chongqing | Melbourne | 0010 | 1230 | Wed, Fri, Sun |
| GS7946 | Melbourne | Chongqing | 1430 | 2200 |
Tianjin Airlines is one of China’s more rapidly growing carriers, expanding its services to the UK late last year to connect with its Auckland route. Meanwhile, fellow Chinese carrier Hainan Airways – also expanding quickly – began services to Melbourne from Xian and Changsha in November last year.
