Qantas Freight will launch a new direct seasonal Boeing 767-300F service from Darwin to Hong Kong – supporting producers in Northern Australia to respond to growing demand from Asia.
The new service – which will be the only direct cargo link between the Northern Territory and Hong Kong – will provide capacity to carry up to 50 tonnes of fresh produce such as chilled meat, seafood, dairy, fruit and vegetables, as well as general cargo.
Qantas Freight said it provide local producers with the opportunity to “get their products into Asia faster and fresher”, potentially extending the shelf life and profitability of quality Australian exports.
Commencing in late August, the weekly 767-300F will depart Darwin on Sunday night and arrive in Hong Kong six hours later at 23:00h (local time).
Qantas Freight chief operating officer, Nick McGlynn said the airline was pleased to be expanding its freight capacity to support the needs of local producers in Northern Australia.
“Producers throughout the Northern Territory often find themselves transporting large volumes of perishables via road to the east coast to meet a cargo connection to Asia. This process can take up to five days, which reduces the shelf life of the product when it arrives at its destination,” said McGlynn.
“Our direct service is a great alternative for freight customers in and around Darwin. It also shows Qantas’s commitment to providing vital connectivity to Northern Australia.
“We’d like to acknowledge the support of Darwin Airport in launching this new freight service, in collaboration with the Northern Territory Government.”
Qantas currently carries freight to over 20 destinations in Asia, including locations in China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
