Sydney Airport will expand its international connections as Hong Kong Airlines launches a new daily service between Hong Kong and Sydney on June 20, 2025. The airline’s arrival marks a significant milestone, increasing daily flights between the two cities from five to six and boosting seat capacity on the route by nearly 20%. This expansion offers passengers greater choice and convenience for travel between the two global hubs.
Historic Air Link Strengthens With Increased Capacity
The Sydney-Hong Kong route has a long-standing history, dating back to 1949 when Qantas first introduced a charter service. Today, it remains one of Sydney’s busiest international routes, with over 850,000 passengers flying between the two cities in 2024—72% of pre-COVID levels. Hong Kong is now Sydney’s third-busiest international destination, following Singapore and Auckland.
The introduction of Hong Kong Airlines follows the recent expansion of bilateral air traffic rights between Australia and Hong Kong—the first in nearly 20 years. This update reflects the growing demand for travel between the two destinations, further supported by Hong Kong International Airport’s new third runway, which now accommodates 120 million passengers annually.
With the addition of Hong Kong Airlines, Sydney Airport now hosts a record 52 airlines, reinforcing its role as a major international gateway.
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton highlighted the significance of the new service.
“The arrival of Hong Kong Airlines marks an important new chapter for Sydney Airport and strengthens the long-standing connection between Sydney and Hong Kong. This new daily service not only increases capacity but also provides passengers with more choice to explore one of Asia’s most vibrant cities.” Charlton said.
Hong Kong Airlines’ Chairman, Yan Bo, expressed excitement over the airline’s expansion into Sydney.
“In the past, we only operated flights to the Gold Coast and Cairns in Australia, offering passengers access to popular tourist hotspots in Queensland,” Bo said.
Hong Kong Airlines President Jeff Sun added, “The three-runway system at Hong Kong International Airport has increased capacity for additional flights. With the support of both governments and related organisations, we are delighted to become the second Hong Kong-based airline to operate in Sydney.”
Hong Kong Airlines’ return to Australian routes follows its previous services to the Gold Coast, which ended in 2018. However, the airline has been steadily rebuilding its long-haul network post-pandemic, recently launching seasonal flights to the Gold Coast for Chinese Lunar New Year.
With this new daily Sydney service, travelers can expect increased flexibility, competitive fares, and a stronger connection between two of the world’s most dynamic cities.