CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES CELEBRATES FIRST AUSTRALIAN ANNIVERSARY WITH SPECIAL “SEE CHINA” FARES

China Southern Airlines announced today a range of special air and accommodation packages from Sydney and Melbourne to a choice of six Chinese cities from just $777 per person during March, 2002.

The airline, China’s largest and most progressive, has introduced the three-night packages in conjunction with China Travel Service in Sydney and China International Travel Service in Melbourne, enabling Australians to fly for the same low fare to China Southern’s gateway airport of Guangzhou (formerly Canton), or on to Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Kunming or Hong Kong.

China Southern’s General Manager Australia, Ms Annie Ye, said the special packages had been introduced to mark today’s first anniversary of the airline’s Boeing 777 flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Guangzhou.

“We are delighted with the support we have received from Australian travellers in our first year of services from Melbourne and Sydney, and we hope that initiatives such as the multi-city deal announced today will attract even more bookings in 2002 and beyond,” said Ms Ye.

“Australian travellers are major purchasers of international package holidays, particularly to destinations in Asia, and the introduction of these packages to six Chinese cities provides a new, inexpensive and very exciting holiday opportunity,” she said.

“No other airline is offering this type of multi-destination product to China, and we are confident it will be well received. We are also exploring further product initiatives as part of our long-term plan to build our presence in the Australia – China market.”

Passengers purchasing these packages have a choice of several hotels in each destination.

The packages can be extended for longer stays, or for sightseeing or other activities. They can be booked until 15 January 2002 for travel between 1 and 15 March inclusive on each of China Southern’s four weekly Boeing 777 services from Australia to China.

These deals have also been launched to help build tourist awareness of China, which is emerging as a major “new” destination for world travellers in 2002 and beyond, as the nation prepares to enter the World Trade Organisation, and readies itself for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

“The special multi-destination offer which we have announced today is a first for the Australia – China market,” said Ms Ye.

“It is also a reflection of China Southern’s confidence in and commitment to the growth of its home country as a major international tourist destination, and an indication of the innovative new way in which we plan to develop the market to China.”

China Southern Airlines operates all of its services from Australia with Boeing 777 IGW (Increased Gross Weight) aircraft seating 290 passengers in a three-class cabin – 18 in Business Class, 65 in Premium Economy Class and 207 in Economy Class. All passengers have a personal video screen and a telephone.

The airline flies from Melbourne to Guangzhou, via Sydney, every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday morning, and from Sydney to Guangzhou every Saturday.

The four mid-morning Sydney departures are perfectly timed for passengers arriving from elsewhere in Australia and New Zealand, en route to China.

From Guangzhou, China Southern offers onward connections to a range of other Chinese destinations, including B777 services each evening to Beijing and Shanghai.