Representatives of Donghai Airlines (DZ, Shenzhen) visited Darwin, Northern Territory to discuss potential flights to this city from Shanghai Pudong, local NT News reported. Officials would not confirm the talks.

The carrier has already received approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and is in the process of receiving a respective nod from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in Australia. According to NT News, the airline needs to obtain the Foreign Air Operators Safety Certificate, on top of all the required traffic rights and landing slots.

The Northern Territory and Australia in general have been courting Chinese investors and tourists. A free trade agreement between the countries has entered into force in 2015, while a year later an open skies agreement has been signed. The Northern Territory's government has also launched a AUD5 million (USD3.8 million) support scheme for local and Chinese businesses.

So far, Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, lacks a direct route to China. The airport's international network consists of flights to Singapore Changi, Manila Ninoy Aquino International and Denpasar. According to NT News, China Southern Airlines (CZ, Guangzhou) is also considering launching flights to Darwin.

Donghai AIrlines, founded in 2006, currently operates predominantly within China. Earlier this year the company launched its first-ever international flights from Shenzhen to Utapao and Phu Quoc.