Sydneysiders embrace more direct flights to Hong Kong with new daily service by Hong Kong Airlines

Passengers travelling between Sydney and Hong Kong will soon have more options with the launch of a new daily service.

Starting June 20, Hong Kong Airlines will introduce new flights between the two cities, boosting seat capacity by 20 per cent.

The flight from Sydney will depart at 11.30am local time, arriving in Hong Kong at 6.50pm.

The return journey will be an overnight service, departing Hong Kong at 10.25pm and arriving in Sydney at 9.50am.

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King welcomed the announcement, saying the government is “pleased to see Sydney Airport leveraging Australia’s new bilateral air agreements”.

“The Australian government is working to expand our international aviation network, because more flights means more competition, more choice, and a better experience for Australian travellers.”

With the addition of this new service, the number of daily direct flights on the popular Hong Kong-Sydney route will increase from five to six, offering travellers greater flexibility and potentially lower airfares.

Currently, Cathay Pacific and Qantas are the only airlines operating between the two cities. This marks the first time in nearly two decades that a new carrier has joined the route.

NSW Transport Minister John Graham said the move will provide a significant boost to the state’s economy.

“The NSW government is working to grow our visitor economy and boosting aviation capacity to key markets like Hong Kong will be critical in achieving that growth,” he said.

“Hong Kong is a priority international market for Sydney, with incoming travellers contributing $290 million to the NSW visitor economy over the last year.”

In 2024, more than 850,000 passengers travelled between the two cities.

Although this represents 72 per cent of pre-COVID levels, Hong Kong remains Sydney’s third-busiest international route, following Singapore and Auckland.

Hong Kong Airlines previously operated flights to Gold Coast and Cairns in Australia only.

The airline’s chairman Yan Bo said: “Now, we are honoured to extend our reach to Sydney … This new route will enable us to serve a broader range of international travellers.

“We are committed to providing passengers with high-quality services and competitive prices, ensuring they have more diverse and convenient options for their travel plans.”