United Airlines to restart its direct services to Melbourne

The return of one of the world’s largest airlines to Melbourne will bring more visitors, boost trade with the United States (U.S.) and create more than 500 local jobs, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Industry Support and Recovery and Minister for Trade Martin Pakula today welcomed the decision by United Airlines to restart its direct services to Melbourne from San Francisco, beginning with three flights a week from June.

The flights will increase to a daily service by December, providing almost 200,000 new seats to and from Melbourne each year, an official press release said.

The extra flights are expected to boost the economy by $54 million and create around 570 jobs in the aviation and tourism sectors.

San Francisco is United Airlines’ primary hub for flights to Asia and Australia. The city is home to the country’s tech sector, the world-famous Silicon Valley and serves as a gateway between the US and the world.

The U.S. is Victoria’s second largest trading partner with two-way goods trade valued at $13 billion in 2021 and its economy provides Victorian businesses with significant export opportunities.

United joins a growing list of major airlines expanding their international offering from Melbourne including Emirates, Etihad, Bamboo Airways and Qantas – which recently announced a new direct route from Dallas Fort Worth and expanded services from Los Angeles.

(Media release)