The NT News (6 December 2017) quoted Northern Territory Tourism Minister, Lauren Moss, as saying that a Donghai Airlines operational team is in Darwin this week to meet with service providers in preparation for service commencement in the future.
She also stated that Donghai are progressing the Australian Certification processes.
Ms Moss defended her efforts as Tourism Minister pointing to her important work negotiating future direct flights to China and the presence this week of more Donghai Airlines executives in Darwin.
“I can confirm Donghai Airlines has an operational team in Darwin this week to meet with ground handlers and other aviation service providers it will need to commence services in the future. This is a very welcome step. I understand Donghai is still progressing through its Australian certification process and detail of our conversations remain commercial-in-confidence.
“We aim to attract 30,000 Chinese visitors a year to the Territory by 2020.”
Donghai had previously indicated that they were planning to commence direct services when they successfully applied to the China Civil Aviation Authority for Chinese permission to start the route.