China Southern surveys locals with an eye on new Darwin route

A state-owned Chinese carrier is surveying Territorians to check their interest in a new international service. Find out more.

China Southern Airlines is returning to Adelaide this December

A state-owned Chinese airline is considering flights into Darwin – and sounding out prominent Territorians to gauge support for the venture.

Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines has sent a questionnaire to a number of Territorians and organisations, a copy of which was obtained by the NT News, seeking details on their Chinese investment.

The questionnaire came in the form of an email headed ‘Northern Territory (Darwin), Australia. Market Information Research. Business and labor market focus: Investigating local Chinese-funded enterprises – intending to contact the CCCA (Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Australia) for assistance.’

The questionnaire asked for the company name, whether it was state-owned or private, the number of employees and size of its turnover, the business type and frequency of travel to China.

It also sought out an indication on the number of travellers per year to China, peak travel times and destinations-of-choice out of locations including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Under a sub-head ‘Cooperation Intent’, recipients are asked to say if they were “willing” or “not willing” to cooperate, and to provide a brief explanation.

Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations Robyn Cahill. Picture: Zizi Averill

The survey first appeared in NT inboxes last month and the NT Government has sought to maximise the interest, with Business and Asian Relations Minister Robyn Cahill tasking the Department or Logistics and Infrastructure to follow-up on the initial approaches.

“I’ve reached out to the Department to see if there’s substance to it and what the opportunity might be,” Ms Cahill said. “Let’s have a look at it and see where it might go.”

“It’s exciting that there’s interest there and hopefully will come to fruition but at the moment it’s really early days.

“Wherever we can get that engagement, wherever we can get those additional flights into the Territory, we’re absolutely looking to explore that. Whether routes can come in or not is up to the regulatory authorities in terms of availability, but other than that we’re absolutely keen to explore all options.”

About a decade ago, China Southern met with then NT Transport Minister Peter Styles to discuss options around a service between Guangzhou and Darwin.

Those approaches coincided with the Territory signing a 99-year-lease for Darwin Port with Chinese company Landbridge.

Airport Development Group’s Tony Edmondstone.

Observers believe it’s possible China Southern’s latest approaches could be timed to coincide with the federal government’s plan to break the NT’s lease with Landbridge, and return the port into Australian hands.

Airport Development Group chief executive Tony Edmondstone said the company regularly touched base with airlines around potential opportunities for Alice Springs and Darwin airports.

“We would welcome China Southern or any other international carrier wanting to come to Darwin to provide connectivity and lower airfares to the Northern Territory,” he said.

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis also welcomed the interest and potential for extra seats into the capital and a new route into China.

“We welcome more airlines flying in and out of Darwin,” he said.

“Both domestic and foreign airlines provide more options and opportunities for tourism and trade.”

Comment has been sought from China Southern Airlines and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Australia.

Originally published as China Southern surveys locals with an eye on new Darwin route