It is understood that regulatory barriers to Hainan accessing the big four Australian airports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth) may work in Darwin's favour with no restrictions on international airlines accessing Darwin. The possibility of collaboration with an Australian airline was also discussed.
The news comes despite the fact that Hainan suspended flying on the Shenzhen - Sydney route, which operated in 2011-12, due to a shortage of aircraft. In this regard it is worth noting that according to Wikipedia Hainan has 133 aircraft, far short of the 400 figure attributed to Minister Tollner.
Talks on direct flights from China open window on bright future
THE Territory could soon see direct flights from Darwin to China with a major Chinese airline pushing to get into the Top End market.
Business Minister Dave Tollner said he met with China’s fourth-largest carrier Hainan Airlines on his recent trip to Asia.
He said the company was seriously considering flying into Darwin and believed they could bring up to 20 million passengers through the Territory each year.
‘‘Hainan Airlines are one of the smaller carriers in China but their idea of small and our idea of small are two different things,’’ he said.
‘‘ Hainan has 400 planes and Qantas has 120.’’
Mr Tollner said even if only a percentage of passengers stayed in Darwin for one night it would have a huge effect on the economy.
‘‘ This would absolutely transform the entire Northern Territory, not just for tourism, but throughout our economy,’’ he said.
Mr Tollner said if Hainan Airlines flew direct to Darwin and set up a code share agreement with an Australian airline they could send passengers anywhere in the country.