Clarification as to whether this means domestic cabotage, that is, a China carrier like China Eastern or China Southern could compete with Jetstar between Cairns and Melbourne, or whether it means their passengers no longer have to buy a fare on an Australian airline to include such a stopover is being sought from Albanese’s office, and this item will be edited accordingly when that information is available.
The second breakthrough point is however a major plus for Australian carriers serving China now or in the future, in that it would allow them to fly beyond China to four additional destinations of their own choosing.
This raises the possibility of Qantas choosing to offer flights between Shanghai and, say, London, Paris, Amsterdam or New York, something of considerable strategic importance as the China market, and Australia’s connections to it continue to grow.
