Shanghai-Australia flights restored to daily frequency
China Eastern Airlines' Flight MU737 lands at Melbourne.
China Eastern Airlines restored daily flights between China and Australia over the weekend, mainly to help Chinese students studying overseas return to school.
The Shanghai-based carrier will fly to Melbourne three times per week and daily to Sydney from Tuesday (March 10), the airline announced on Sunday.
Domestic airlines have reduced flights between China and Australia since early February after the Australian government restricted the entry of most non-resident foreigners from Chinese mainland. So many Chinese students were left stranded outside Australia, though the new academic year started in February.
On February 22, Australia exempted Year 11 and 12 students already enrolled at an Australian school. China Eastern then initially applied to resume flights.
The first flight MU737 took off from Pudong International Airport at 7:45pm on Saturday and landed at Melbourne at 10am local time.
Passengers deplane at Melbourne.
