Virgin Australia is set to launch flights between Sydney and Hong Kong from mid-2018, marking the airline’s long-awaited debut on the route.

Subject to regulatory approval, Virgin Australia plans to operate daily return services between the two cities with its Airbus A330-200 aircraft featuring ‘The Business’ and economy class.

The announcement comes just seven months after Virgin Australia commenced its inaugural flights to Hong Kong from Melbourne.

Virgin Australia Group CEO, John Borghetti, said: “Expanding our presence into Greater China is a key pillar of our international strategy, and today we are building on the positive momentum created since the launch of our Melbourne-Hong Kong flights.

Virgin Australia’s ‘The Business’ is one of the world’s best luxury cabins

“The new Sydney-Hong Kong service will link two global destinations and will allow Virgin Australia to further access the fastest growing and most valuable Australian inbound market, China, with our alliance partner Hong Kong Airlines,” he said.

The service will also connect with Virgin Atlantic Airways’ daily flights to London.

“Virgin Australia has been ‘shaking up’ the Australia-Hong Kong market by introducing lower fares and its award-winning inflight product and service since it began its first Melbourne-Hong Kong flight last year,” Borghetti said.