Xiamen Airlines Inaugural Fuzhou-Sydney Service
Xiamen Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner B-2763 touched down on Sydney's Runway 16L this morning, operating the inaugural service from Fuzhou to Sydney. This service will operate three times per week, and will be followed on the 6th December 2015 with a twice weekly Xiamen to Sydney service (to increase to 4 times per week in February for the busy Chinese New Year period). Both routes will be operated by the Xiamen Dreamliner. Sydney Airport Corporation CEO Kerrie Mather, representing the NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Mark Coure, and Ms Wong from the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney, all welcomed Xiamen Airlines CEO Che Shanglun and Xiamen Airlines to Sydney.
Sydney Airport Corporation CEO Kerrie Mather said, "This new airline, with two new mainland China routes, will boost tourism in our city and State. Xiamen Airlines is expected to bring an additional 36,000 Chinese visitors to Sydney each year, contributing an anticipated $136 million in additional annual visitor expenditure to NSW. It is also great news for trade, as the new services provide additional business connectivity and investment links to China for Australian businesses and exporters".
NSW Government Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said "China is the largest inbound tourism market in NSW, with 526,000 Chinese visitors last financial year - an increase of 24% on the previous year.
Xiamen Airlines will be Sydney Airport's fifth Chinese mainland airline serving destinations across mainland China. Sydney Airport is the world's leading airport for Chinese long haul airlines, with six carriers serving eight mainland Chinese cities by the end of this year. Sydney Airport has implemented a range of China ready initiatives to welcome Chinese passengers, including Mandarin speaking Airport Ambassadors, information available in simplified Chinese, acceptance of Union Pay, support of events such as Lunar New Year, and tailored retail, food and beverage offerings.
Welcome to Sydney Xiamen Airlines
B-2763 taxiing on Runway 25 for a right turn into Taxiway Yankee and the International 5 Apron
B-2763 turning into Taxiway Yankee for a water cannon salute
Sydney Airport ARFF Tender 4 and Tender 5 give Xiamen Airlines the traditional Water Cannon salute
Taxiing across Taxiway Golf for the International 5 Apron
Entering the International 5 Apron
A good profile view of the Xaimen Airlines Dreamliner and its beautiful blue livery
The now familiar raked wings and engine chevrons of the Boeing Dreamliner
Nose in towards Gate 34
Engine shutdown and the inaugural flight from Fuzhou to Sydney has been completed
The inaugural flight celebration cake in the Sydney Airport Media Centre
Xiamen Airlines CEO Che Shanglun addresses the VIPs and Media
Sydney Airport Corporation CEO Kerrie Mather welcomes Xaimen Airlines to Sydney
Representing the NSW Government Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Mr Mark Coure, welcomes Xaimen Airlines to Sydney
Ms Wong from the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney welcomes Xaimen Airlines to Sydney
The formal cutting of the celebration cake by the VIPs
Mr Che Shanglun presents Kerrie Mather with a model of their Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner
Kerrie Mather presents Mr Che Shanglun with a boomerang to mark the occasion
Cheers all round for this historic inaugural service from Fuzhou to Sydney
Photo call for the VIPs
Channel 9 News interviews Mr Che Shanglun, who studied at RMIT in Melbourne
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