Qantas announced it would introduce a new service between Melbourne and Shanghai, offering two flights a week on the route from March 2008.
MELBOURNE – The Executive General Manager of Qantas, Mr John Borghetti, said the services – the first time Qantas had offered non-stop services between Melbourne and Shanghai – were a mark of the airline’s strong commitment to growing inte national services into Victoria.
“These new services present Victoria with a great opportunity, providing the state with a direct connection to the world’s fastest growing aviation market, where business and tourism links are expanding rapidly,” Mr Borghetti said.
He said the Melbourne-Shanghai service would use two-class A330 aircraft fitted with the award winning Qantas Skybed in Business class, operating from Shanghai on Mondays and Fridays, with the return services departing Melbourne on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
“Qantas has been steadily developing its China operations since we commenced services there in 2004 with three flights a week to Shanghai.
“From March 2008, we will offer 10 return services a week to China – five between Sydney and Shanghai, our two new Melbourne-Shanghai services, and three between Sydney and Beijing – in addition to offering two codeshare services with China Eastern Airlines.
Mr Borghetti said Qantas’ commitment to Victoria was equally strong. “The Qantas Group operates more than 800 return international and domestic services each week into and out of Victoria, including services to and from Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Los Angeles, London, Bangkok, Denpasar, Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington.
“Last week we opened our new First Class Lounge and commenced a new premium kerb-side check-in service for Melbourne international customers, and will be looking at further ways of enhancing the service we provide for our customers.”
Mr Borghetti said the Qantas Group employed more than 7,000 staff and had some $500 million invested in land and buildings in Victoria, including Jetstar’s domestic and international bases, which had provided a significant boost to aviation and tourism in the state.