China Southern Restarts Perth Flights, Trials Vanuatu Service
China Southern Airlines has announced the return of its seasonal service between Guangzhou and Perth, alongside the successful completion of a test flight to Port Vila, Vanuatu. Beginning November 30, 2025, the carrier will operate three weekly round-trip flights to Perth Airport using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. The seasonal connection is scheduled to run through March 2026, offering a direct link between mainland China and Western Australia during peak travel periods.
Western Australia’s Tourism Minister, the Hon. Reece Whitby, welcomed the news, describing the restored service as a “valuable connection” that will make it easier for Chinese visitors to explore the state’s unique landscapes and attractions. In 2024, more than 68,000 travellers from China visited Western Australia, generating an estimated A$302 million in visitor spending. “China remains one of WA’s key international visitor markets,” Whitby said, noting that improved air links will support growth across tourism, business and education sectors.
Perth Airport’s Chief Commercial and Aviation Officer, Kate Holsgrove, said the airport authority is working closely with the State Government to increase frequencies in coming years. “Direct aviation connections are essential for boosting tourism, trade and people-to-people links,” she explained, adding that China was Western Australia’s fourth-largest international market by visitor numbers last year. Holsgrove indicated that discussions are underway to expand China Southern’s service beyond the initial three flights per week.
In parallel with its Australian expansion, China Southern has completed two trial flights to Vanuatu’s Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila. On April 29, 2025, a Boeing 737-8 Max carried 30 passengers from Guangzhou, with a technical stop in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. A second test flight followed on May 6, confirming the airline’s operational readiness for potential regular services. The trials support a planned Air Transportation Agreement between China and Vanuatu, first reported by the Vanuatu Daily Post in July 2024, designed to enhance air connectivity, tourism and bilateral trade.
The dual announcements reflect China Southern’s broader strategy to strengthen its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. By deploying its 787-9s on long-haul routes and 737-8s on shorter sector trials, the airline can gauge market demand and refine schedules ahead of full route launches. Industry analysts note that reinstating Perth services taps into the strong leisure travel market between China and Australia, while Port Vila trials open a new gateway to South Pacific destinations, diversifying China Southern’s network beyond its core China domestic and international markets.
Gulf carriers and other major airlines have recently expanded their transcontinental operations, but China Southern’s focus on Australia and the Pacific Islands signals growing competition in these markets. For Western Australia, the return of a direct link to Guangzhou is expected to boost visitor numbers from China, support local hospitality and retail businesses, and foster cultural exchanges. In Vanuatu, the introduction of a Chinese carrier could lower airfares, increase tourist arrivals and stimulate economic activity.
Passengers eager to book the Perth flights can expect to enjoy China Southern’s recently upgraded cabins, featuring lie-flat business class seats, premium economy and high-definition inflight entertainment. The airline has yet to announce ticket sale dates, but travel agents predict fares will be competitive with existing services operated by other Asian carriers. Meanwhile, further details on potential regular services to Port Vila will depend on finalizing government agreements and assessing the outcome of the test flights.
By relaunching seasonal services to Perth and exploring new Pacific routes, China Southern aims to capture growing leisure demand and establish itself as a key player in the Asia-Pacific aviation market. As regulatory approvals and aircraft preparations progress, both routes could become pillars of the airline’s international network from late 2025 onward.
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