Gary Shipway
NT News | 13 December 2017
DIRECT flights from China to Darwin with Donghai Airlines will start within the first six months of next year.
The airline has issued a statement committing itself to a direct Darwin service from Shenzhen. The announcement follows a successful round of talks with NT Tourism Minister Lauren Moss.
The NT News understands there will initially be two services a week.
The announcement is a major coup for Ms Moss who is on her second mission to China in pursuit of the direct flights which are expected to be a significant boost for Territory tourism.
Ms Moss said her four-day mission to China had built on the dialogue started during her previous visit several months ago and she remained confident direct flights would become a reality sooner rather than later. “While it is too early to give any definitive news, I am extremely happy with the way talks are proceeding with interested airline carriers,” Ms Moss said.
“We still have a ways to go and we are working carefully and cautiously on securing direct flights.”
The Chinese Civil Aviation Administration has given Donghai Airlines approval to fly from China to Darwin. It is known that Donghai has applied to Australia’s Civil Aviation Authority for the necessary approvals to allow it to fly to Australia.
Ms Moss said while in Guangzhou she would attend the final week of the Australia China Year of Tourism expo.
“As Tourism Minister I will promote our world destinations,” Ms Moss said.