The Australian Financial Review had the following to say on 19 December:
With all traffic rights to Australia – 73 weekly flights and two freighter services – in use, the next step will be asking for more access as incoming aircraft give Cathay more growth options, according to Slosar.
“Australia is linked very strongly with Asia and China these days, so . . . as and when the market can afford it, we’d either want to add more flights or upgrade the size of the aeroplanes,” he says.
“Surely as Australia develops, Darwin must be on the radar at some point, and some other points as well.”
So perhaps a few airlines will be watching the success the Qantas charter to Hong Kong in January before they consider their next move?