Sydney Airport (SYD) has announced that it is to welcome Shenzhen Airlines as its newest Chinese carrier.
The airline is set to launch a four-times-weekly service between Shenzhen and Sydney from December 14, 2026, further strengthening air links between Australia and China.
The new service will be operated using an Airbus A330-300, adding approximately 130,000 seats annually and supporting an estimated 100,000 passengers each year.
Flight schedule
Flight ZH815 will depart Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) at 0020 local time and arrive at Sydney Airport at 1340 local time.
The return flight, ZH816, will depart Sydney at 2230 local time and arrive in Shenzhen at 0525 local time the following day.
A record 55 airlines now flying to Sydney
The arrival of Shenzhen Airlines will bring the total number of carriers operating at Sydney Airport to a record 55, reinforcing its position as Australia’s largest airport and the country’s leading international gateway.
Shenzhen Airlines will also become Sydney Airport’s tenth Chinese-based carrier.
According to Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton, China remains one of Sydney Airport’s most important international markets, with Chinese nationals now the airport’s second-largest international traveler group, up 13.9% year-on-year based on second-quarter 2026 traffic data.
Scott remarked that the new route will give passengers direct access to one of China’s most dynamic cities, along with onward connections across Shenzhen Airlines’ domestic and international network throughout Asia and Europe.
Connecting Australia’s gateway with China’s ‘Silicon Valley’
Often referred to as China’s Silicon Valley, Shenzhen has emerged as one of Sydney Airport’s fastest-growing mainland China markets.
In 2025, it ranked as the airport’s seventh-largest mainland China destination for passengers traveling directly between the two cities, with passenger numbers growing 16% year-on-year to reach 56,000 annually.
Shenzhen Airlines Chairman Li Shuxing declared that the airline is pleased to launch its first service to Sydney, describing it as an important addition to its international network.
He said that the new route is expected to provide greater choice and convenience for travelers between the two cities while supporting stronger tourism, trade, and cultural links between China and Australia.