Qantas launching direct Darwin-Hong Kong freight link from August

SYDNEY - Qantas Freight is to launch a new direct seasonal freight service from Darwin to Hong Kong in August, to support producers in Northern Australia in responding 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 for up to 50 tonnes of fresh produce (including chilled meat, seafood, dairy, fruit and vegetables), as well as general cargo.

The weekly Boeing 767-300F service will depart Darwin on Sunday nights, arriving in Hong Kong six hours later at 11pm local time. .

Qantas Freight Chief Operating Officer, Nick McGlynn, says Northern Australia producers currently transport large volumes of perishables via road to the east coast to meet a cargo connection to Asia.

“This can take up to five days, reducing shelf life of the product when it arrives,” he says.  www.freightdirect@qantas.com.au    (ATI).