China Southern (CZ) has announced that it will upgrade the aircraft on the Guangzhou-Sydney route, deploying the Airbus A380 from October 27, 2013.
The airline currently operates five of the superjumbos, using them for services to Los Angeles, Beijing and Shanghai from its main hub of Guangzhou. According to a Xinhua report, CZ had flown 2,910 flights with the A380 as of April 15, and its management feels that the airline's air and ground crews are experienced enough with the aircraft to fly it to more international destinations. Australia has been picked as the suitable market to explore.
The A380, capable of seating 506 passengers (eight first-class suites, 70 lie-flat business seats and 428 economy seats), will replace the current A330-300 aircraft (four first class, 24 business class, 48 premium economy and 208 economy) in the daily service. This will be the second international route for the airline’s five superjumbos after Los Angeles.
CZ has been very active in raising its profile in Australia – having sponsored the Sydney Festival last year, it signed another deal in July to continue the partnership until 2015. This makes the airline the largest foreign corporate sponsor to the festival. Meanwhile, the Guangzhou-based airline inaugurated its office in Sydney last August, preparing itself for more services between China and Australia.
The airline has also been developing its Canton Route strategy, transforming Guangzhou into a hub that connects Australasia with Europe. This is also complemented by the impending new policy at Baiyun airport that will allow many transit passengers with third-country visas and onward plane tickets to stay in Guangzhou for up to 72 hours (see story).
Currently, Chine Southern Airlines has six destinations in Australasia (Australia and New Zealand), namely Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland, Perth and Cairns.
Visit www.csair.com
Nino Lin