Direct China & Darwin flights in the pipeline

Published on : Friday, July 14, 2017

Lauren Moss, NT Tourism Minister of late declared that Donghai Airlines, based in Shenzhen, has applied for an authorization to fly to Darwin via China’s Civil Aviation Administration, which he claims is the result of many years lobbying on politics of both the sides.

The minister highlighted that she had few fruitful conversation with the airline while her recent trip to China. However, Moss emphasized that there are many obstacles to conquer before the flights land on the Darwin tarmac.

From September onward, the company will begin three flights per week, which might have a passenger or freight service.

“While this is the first step of an extensive process prior to the commencement of any service. I am looking forward to further talks with Donghai Airlines and will continue to promote Darwin and the NT to potential new carriers,” Ms Moss said.

The Gunner government is expecting to lure more than 30,000 annual visitors from Greater China alone to the NT by the end of 2020. This would cost an expenditure of $46 million.

In 2016, the NT attracted 15,000 visitors from the region which accounted an up of 18 per cent on the previous year.

China was the second largest inbound market for visitor arrivals in Australia in 2016, after New Zealand. It was also the largest market for total expenditure and visitor nights.