Hong Kong Airlines Launches Direct Flights To Melbourne – Charm

Hong Kong Airlines Launches Direct Melbourne Flights — Image credit: N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0 International, via Wikimedia Commons

Highlights

Hong Kong Airlines is only the second Hong Kong-based carrier in nearly two decades to operate multiple routes to Australia.
Economy Class passengers connecting via Hong Kong on selected flights will receive complimentary access to the Club Autus lounge until March 31, 2026.

Hong Kong Airlines has officially launched nonstop flights between Hong Kong and Melbourne, becoming only the second Hong Kong–based carrier in almost two decades to operate multiple routes to Australia.

The service began on December 12, 2025, and operates three times a week, with inaugural celebrations held at both Hong Kong International Airport and Melbourne Airport. Flight HX013 marked the airline’s first arrival into Australia’s largest 24-hour international gateway and was welcomed with a ceremonial water cannon salute, making Hong Kong Airlines Melbourne Airport’s 41st airline partner.

Also, learn more about Hong Kong Airlines’ inauguration of direct flights to Lijiang.

Hong Kong Airlines launches direct Melbourne flight service

China’s #HongKong Airlines flight HX013 touched down Saturday at the #Melbourne Airport, marking the inauguration of the #airline‘s new direct service from Hong Kong to the Australian city.

The flight, welcomed by a water cannon salute at the airport, made Melbourne the… pic.twitter.com/lbtk9iHhwu

— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) December 14, 2025

Speaking at the ceremony, Jeff Sun, President of Hong Kong Airlines, stated, “This launch establishes us as the second local carrier in two decades to offer direct services to Melbourne. This was made possible through the concerted efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Australian governments to expand the bilateral air services agreement, and the tremendous support from our industry partners in both cities.”

Did you know?

The launch follows Melbourne Airport’s busiest November on record for international travel, with 1,017,435 passengers, a 6.9 percent year-on-year increase.

The flight schedule between Hong Kong and Melbourne is as follows (all times local):

Route	Flight Number	Departure	Arrival	Frequency
HKG – MEL	HX013	23:10	11:30+1	Mon, Wed, Fri
MEL – HKG	HX014	13:00	19:25	Tues, Thurs, Sat

The new service is designed to cater to business, leisure and transit travellers, while strengthening long-haul connectivity between Australia and East Asia. Via Hong Kong, passengers can connect onward to major destinations including Vancouver, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Economy Class passengers connecting through Hong Kong on selected flights will also receive complimentary access to the airline’s flagship Club Autus lounge until March 31, 2026.

(Feature image credit: N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0 International, via Wikimedia Commons)

Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.