Flights are still subject to final Australian regularity approval which is expect to be provided soon to allow flights to commence in late April or early May.
Ben Hill
Daily Mail | 29 March 2018
- Return flights to China could soon be on offer for as little as $400
- Donghai Airlines is set to sell cheap flights on a direct service from Darwin
- The service is expected to begin in late April, pending airline authorisation
Donghai Airlines is set to offer return flights from Darwin to Shenzhen for the incredibly cheap price.
Northern Territory Tourism and Culture Minister Lauren Moss said the Chinese airline cannot fly to Australia yet as it is still awaiting approval from the Civil Aviation Authority, the NT News reported.
Ms Moss said the flights could begin about late April or early May.
'Donghai Airlines are currently undergoing the Australian certification process. However we believe that the necessary approvals are very close,' she said.
'I am confident and really excited that direct flights from China will start very soon.'
Travel agents have been providing pricing in anticipation of the airline being authorised to fly to Australia.
'The NT Government is focused on growing Chinese visitation to support our tourism industry and create jobs. We know Chinese visitors spend more on average than other visitors - it is an important and lucrative market,' Ms Moss said.
She said the Government hopes to attract 30,000 visitors from China to the Northern Territory by 2020, bringing with them $46 million.
Ms Moss said a direct service between China and Darwin will help meet that target.
Planning is underway for functions and events to accompany the inaugural Donghai Airlines flight.
Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said he was excited about the cheap fares on offer between the NT and China.
A Donghai Airlines spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia once the airlines is approved to fly to Australia the flights will be offered on the company's website.