Arabic version: تشاينا ساوثرن تنهي رحلات داروين-غوانزو

According to ABC News, China Southern Airlines will suspend its direct flights between Darwin and China after about a year of operation. The Darwin-to-Guangzhou route, launched in December last year, will end with its final scheduled departure from Darwin on December 3.

The service was the only direct flight between China and the Northern Territory and the Territory’s farthest-reaching route. An Airport Development Group spokesperson said China Southern’s move was a commercial decision, while adding that travellers in Darwin could still reach China and other international destinations through hubs including Singapore, Denpasar and Dili.

The cancellation follows other short-lived international services from Darwin. In 2025, Qantas began a direct Darwin-Singapore flight, while AirAsia introduced Darwin services to Bali and Kuala Lumpur. By June 2026, Qantas had cut its Singapore service to the peak tourism season and AirAsia had withdrawn from Darwin entirely. The Airport Development Group said it continued to speak with airlines and aviation partners about strengthening Darwin’s international connectivity.

Announced in August 2025, the Guangzhou route had been promoted as a tourism boost expected to provide 52,000 seats annually between the two cities. Tourism Minister Marie-Clare Boothby led a delegation of tourism operators to Guangzhou in April for discussions with travel agents, describing Guangzhou and Guangdong province as a high-value, concentrated market for the Territory.

Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce chief executive Glen Hingley said the decision disappointed businesses, especially those seeking to grow. He said future airline services should consider freight opportunities as well as passenger demand, noting Darwin was the only destination flying a 737 while other Australian destinations used wide-bodied aircraft. He called for cooperation between government agencies, industry bodies, sectors and the airport.