Virgin Australia has announced its new Hong Kong flights will operate non-stop from Melbourne Tullamarine airport.

The flights are scheduled to commence from 05 July 2017 initially five times weekly in collaboration with the HNA Group of airlines such as Hong Kong Airlines. VA will use two-class configured Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Virgin’s arrival on this market will provide a new option for Melbourne based travellers. At the moment this city pair is served by daily non-stop QANTAS flights and thrice-daily by Cathay Pacific.

Hong Kong Airlines’ (HX) Oceania services from Hong Kong include flights to Cairns, Gold Coast and Auckland. The Australian services are expected to be in code-share with VA as part of the expanded alliance with HNA including mainland China.

VA’s new Hong Kong flights go on sale from 22 March 2017 and are subject to regulatory approval.