THE Northern Territory Govt today announced a late May 2018 start date for Darwin’s first-ever nonstop flights from China, operated by Donghai Airlines.
Eight months after signalling its intended Shenzhen-Darwin route (TD 13 Jul), Donghai Airlines confirmed it would debut the new service on 30 May.
Donghai Airlines president Yang Jianhon said the carrier would operate the route initially with Boeing 737-800 aircraft before upgrading the service to new 737 MAX 8s in due course.
The service will operate on a twice weekly basis, moving to thrice weekly in peak season.
NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the govt had worked “incredibly hard to bring this new route to fruition”.
“Donghai’s direct Shenzhen to Darwin service will provide a significant economic injection into our tourism, retail and hospitality sectors,” Gunner said.
The route will inject an expected $32 million into the Darwin and greater NT economy annually.
Bookings ex China open today & ex Darwin by the end of Apr.
Source: traveldaily