KAREN PERCY: It's back to the future for Qantas, with the Australian carrier resuming direct flights between Sydney and Beijing, the Chinese capital.
It's an attempt to cash in on the booming number of cashed up Chinese travellers, with predictions of a million Chinese tourists visiting Australia within a decade.
It's a gamble for Qantas because previous attempts to fly the route were unsustainable.
China Correspondent John Taylor reports.
JOHN TAYLOR: Qantas's first flight touched down in Beijing last night.
Australian Transport Minister Warren Truss was on board.
WARREN TRUSS: It's a wonderful flight. Qantas looked after us very well. It's great to be in Beijing, great to see Qantas back on the route. Qan-tastic!
JOHN TAYLOR: From now on, three direct flights from Sydney to Beijing will come and go every week. There are even plans over the next few years to boost that number to every day.
Qantas Chairwoman Margaret Jackson told a press conference in Beijing today that the new service is good for everyone.
MARGARET JACKSON: We are delighted. This new service deepens the Qantas relationship and the Australian relationship with the most dynamic nation, and the most rapidly expanding aviation market in the world today.
ABC (Australia)
It's an attempt to cash in on the booming number of cashed up Chinese travellers, with predictions of a million Chinese tourists visiting Australia within a decade.
It's a gamble for Qantas because previous attempts to fly the route were unsustainable.
China Correspondent John Taylor reports.
JOHN TAYLOR: Qantas's first flight touched down in Beijing last night.
Australian Transport Minister Warren Truss was on board.
WARREN TRUSS: It's a wonderful flight. Qantas looked after us very well. It's great to be in Beijing, great to see Qantas back on the route. Qan-tastic!
JOHN TAYLOR: From now on, three direct flights from Sydney to Beijing will come and go every week. There are even plans over the next few years to boost that number to every day.
Qantas Chairwoman Margaret Jackson told a press conference in Beijing today that the new service is good for everyone.
MARGARET JACKSON: We are delighted. This new service deepens the Qantas relationship and the Australian relationship with the most dynamic nation, and the most rapidly expanding aviation market in the world today.
ABC (Australia)
