New Jetstar flight launched between Melbourne and Zhengzhou

It's likely the vast majority of Melburnians have never heard of Zhengzhou, and perhaps fewer still have ever contemplated going there.

But it's about to become the only mainland Chinese city served directly from Melbourne by an Australian airline.

Jetstar today announced plans to begin twice weekly flights between the two cities from December.

The launch in a hanger at Melbourne Airport was welcomed by a pair of Chinese dragons, as well as Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester and Victorian Tourism Minister John Eren.

Jetstar CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said China's growing middle class presented hugh opportunities.

“We know that Chinese travellers generally visit 2 or 3 cities when they visit Australia so we expect this will boost tourism to other parts of Australia", she said.

Zhengzhou is a major transport hub for central China, and is the economic and technological centre of Henan province.

The new flights are being delivered in partnership with China Comfort Travel, which will sell flights and holiday packages directly to Chinese travellers.

Chinese airlines already link Melbourne with nine cities in mainland China, including Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, and the country is Victoria's number one international tourism market.

The state government says in the 12 months to March more than 570,000 Chinese tourists injected $2.6 billion into the Victorian economy.