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Abstract This paper assesses air connectivity between China and Australia for the period 2005–16 using a Connectivity Utility Model. Our direct connectivity measure shows that as a gateway city, Sydney continues to play a key role in facilitating the movements of people and goods between China and Australia. Guangzhou has become the city best connected with Australia since 2011 as measured by direct connectivity. When indirect connections are considered, the largest increases in overall connectivity from 2005 to 2016 can be observed among Australia's major capital cities, particularly Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Chinese carriers are the key drivers behind the increases. There have been rises and falls for airports serving as a hub between China and Australia. Guangzhou has forged its strong status as a transfer hub between Australia and China thanks to the quick expansion of China Southern. The gaps between Guangzhou and other transfer hubs measured by hub connectivity have widened since 2010. Highlights • Air connectivity between China and Australia for the period 2005–2016 is assessed. • Chinese airlines makes a major contribution to the two countries' air connectivity. • Guangzhou has forged its strong status as an emerging transfer hub between Australia and China. • The development of other transfer hubs is assessed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]