China Southern Airlines officials in Darwin on fact-finding mission
A delegation from China Southern Airlines is in Darwin scoping out potential flight opportunities. See what’s planned.
A delegation from China Southern Airlines is in Darwin on a fact-finding mission to the Northern Territory.
In town as gusts of the Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations, the delegation has held meetings with senior government officials to brief them on the state of the Northern Territory economy.
The NT News understands the visit will be crowned with a sunset boat cruise around Darwin Harbour.
Last month, the NT News flagged China Southern’s interest in flying to the Northern Territory on the back of increased business activity and the Chinese stakeholding in Darwin Port.
The Guangzhou-based airline had sent a questionnaire to a number of Territorians and organisations seeking details on their Chinese investments.
A Territory businessman familiar with China Southern’s activities said their interest followed positive gas test results in the Beetaloo Basin, and also moves by the Commonwealth Government to return the Darwin Port lease into Australian hands.
In 2015 the CLP Government signed a 99-year-lease with Landbridge to run an 80 per cent stake in the port.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is heading to China this week for meetings with senior figures including Xi Jinping, during which the future of Darwin Port will be on the agenda.
China Southern’s survey first appeared in NT inboxes in May, with Business and Asian Relations Minister Robyn Cahill tasking the Department or Logistics and Infrastructure to follow-up on the initial approaches.
It’s understood this delegation is here to follow-up the overtures made by the government.
About a decade ago, China Southern met with the previous CLP Government to discuss options around a service between Guangzhou and Darwin.
Those approaches coincided with the Territory signing a 99-year-lease to handover Darwin Port to Chinese company Landbridge.
China Southern Airlines is a SkyTeam Alliance member and operates China’s largest airline fleet.
Darwin is the only mainland Australian capital not to be serviced by China Southern with the announcement last month the airline would resume flights into Perth.
The NT Government failed to respond to questions about the delegation by publication.
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Originally published as China Southern Airlines officials in Darwin on fact-finding mission
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