TERRITORY growers will be able to get their produce to important Chinese markets faster than ever with Qantas announcing a freighter, which usually flies directly from Sydney to Hong Kong, will stop in Darwin every Sunday to collect freight.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the service will begin in late August and mean fresh Territory produce will be in Hong Kong less than six hours after take-off from Darwin.
The Qantas Freight service is the second China coup for Darwin International Airport and NT farmers on the back of Donghai Airlines’ direct service from Darwin to Shenzhen.
The news also follows last week’s $4.8 million in funding support from the Federal Government, under the Building Better Regions Fund, towards a Darwin International Airport Freight and Education Hub.
When completed, the new infrastructure will be a game changer for NT agribusiness.
Darwin International Airport chief executive officer Ian Kew said no longer will NT freight exporters have to go through the costly and time-consuming exercise of sending their produce “south” before heading “north”.
“We welcome Qantas’ announcement to land its freighter in Darwin,” Mr Kew said.
“Together with the Donghai Airlines’ direct service to Shenzhen, this additional service creates faster and cheaper paths for NT produce to gain access to markets in China.”
Primary Industry Minister Ken Vowles said the new freight route was another important breakthrough for Territory growers.
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“It will create significant trade opportunities for the Territory,” he said.
“It helps our growers get to market quicker and ultimately expand our agricultural sector, which means more jobs for locals.
“The Territory has world-class produce that can now be flown directly into Hong Kong instead of having to go via southern and eastern states.
“By getting to market quicker it is in the best condition possible.”
Source: weekly news
