In a major win for Victoria, the Allan Labor Government has made a deal with Delta Air Lines and secured three new direct flights per week from Los Angeles to Melbourne, from December this year.
Deputy Premier Ben Carroll joined Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus today to announce the deal will mean an extra 86,000 seats between Victoria and the United States will be available to travellers on one of the world's biggest airlines - and is set to increase again when Delta adds more services in the future.
The new flights will create competition in the market and drive down the cost of international flights out of Victoria, making travel to the USA more affordable for families.
With Los Angeles being a major hub for Delta, travellers will be able to connect to more than 40 airports across the USA and Latin America from LAX.
The flights will also bring thousands more tourists from the USA and Canada - these are typically outdoor and adventure seeking travellers and Victoria is brimming with natural wonders for them to explore.
The USA is the state's fourth largest international market for tourists, attracting more than 200,000 people in the year ending September 2024 - who spent about $358 million while they were in the state.
The Industry Partnerships Program (IPP) allows Visit Victoria to match funding from industry partners for destination marketing, to boost the number of people visiting our state.
The new Delta flights will also boost the state's business events calendar, making it easier for corporate groups to hold conferences here, and create new trade opportunities with the USA. For the year ending June 2024, $2.4 billion worth of goods was air freighted between Victoria and North America.
Delta's service between Los Angeles and Melbourne will operate three times weekly, with flights departing Los Angeles at 9:25pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, arriving in Melbourne at 8:15am local time on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Return flights from Melbourne will depart at 10:25am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Los Angeles at 6:10am local time the same day.
Keep an eye on the Delta website to book flights from December www.delta.com.
As stated by Deputy Premier Ben Caroll
"More flights mean greater opportunities for tourism, trade, and business in Victoria."
"This landmark deal will make it easier and more affordable for Victorians to travel to the USA while bringing thousands of international visitors to explore our great state."
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
"This is a win for the whole state - for tourism operators, businesses, hotels and restaurants, and for families and travellers. These new Delta flights will bring thousands more tourists from North America to Victoria."
"These new flights will also make it more affordable and convenient for travellers and families who want to experience the USA - which is a win for families who have America on their bucket list."
As stated by Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson
"Having more direct flights from LA is not only a major boost for local businesses, it will also open up more opportunities for trade with our North American partners - which is already a significant market for Victoria."
As stated by Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus
"Delta's flights will help restore capacity on the Los Angeles route back to where it was before the Covid-19 pandemic and the arrival of a new carrier on the Pacific route will also make it easier for Victorian businesses to connect with a key trading partner."
