China Southern to end Darwin

Dhaka: China Southern Airlines will discontinue its direct service between Darwin and Guangzhou in December, ending the only nonstop air connection between China's mainland and Australia's Northern Territory after about a year of operation.

The final flight from Darwin is scheduled for December 3, with the route set to close before Christmas. The service began in December 2025 and was the longest-reaching direct international connection from the Northern Territory to China.

Airport Development Group (ADG), which operates Darwin International Airport, said decisions on routes and flight schedules rest with individual airlines. It added that passengers could continue traveling to China and other international destinations through connecting hubs such as Singapore, Denpasar and Dili.

The decision has drawn disappointment from Northern Territory business representatives. Glen Hingley, chief executive of the territory's Chamber of Commerce, described the suspension as a setback for local businesses seeking to expand their markets.

Hingley said airlines needed to consider freight demand alongside passenger numbers when assessing routes, noting that Darwin's service operated Boeing 737 aircraft, unlike some larger Australian international gateways that use wide-body jets.

He also called for greater cooperation among government agencies, industry groups and airport operators to strengthen the region's international air links.

ADG said it would continue engaging with airlines and aviation partners to attract new services and improve connectivity.