The Australian airport owned by CHINA

[craven morehead]

Has anyone seen or heard about this previously ?

China now owns Australian airport after paying $1 for 100-year lease

Merredin airport in Western Australia is effectively under the control of a Chinese government enterprise, prompting outrage in aviation circles, as safety concerns shut down its pilot training school. The airport's runways, control tower, hangars and all of its assets are 50 per cent owned, and may soon be .... haven't subscribed to "The Australian" as yet.

 

[JohnK]

Amazing? How has this been kept out of news for so long? What next?

 

[moa999]

So what.
Most of our airports are controlled by private entities under 99yr leases.

Bunch of private money and super funds or Chinese money, no difference really.

 

[JohnK]

Bunch of private money and super funds or Chinese money, no difference really.

Huge difference when you have to get permission from China to land at this airport. No?

 

[moa999]

Just like Lindsay Fox personally approves every landing at Avalon and Essendon??

Like this Airport there will be a manager and you apply to them. They are generally grateful for anyone wanting to pay them a fee.
Most regional airports are loss making and often local council subsidised.
Given the lease was for $1 I expect this one was as well, and they were very happy to have someone fund it l, while directing training activity and presumably local jobs there as well

 

[dk4]

The reality is IMO, Australia needs to balance Chinese and US interests in foreign investment throughout our country, to ensure best national interest results. (AKA the "Switzerland neutrality approach", one which leads to Swiss citizens having exceptional per capita lifestyles, and their country batting well above average on the international relation's stage.) Fact is the Chinese value state owned enterprise, while the US doesn't (but with subtle fascist tendencies) however the US achieves a nationalistic outcome non-the-less.

TAKE HOME RESULT = Australia needs to look to the Switzerland model for forward movement! (Friends with benefits with everyone.)

 

[Daver6]

This is where China Southern start basic training for all their cadets. In terms of "controlling the tower", they have their training pilots manning it when they have the cadets in the air. These same pilots are also the ones who go turn on the runway lights etc if a RFDS aircraft needs it in the middle of the night.

Without China Southern, the place would probably not exist.

 

[straitman]

Huge difference when you have to get permission from China to land at this airport. No?

But you don't.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just like Lindsay Fox personally approves every landing at Avalon and Essendon??

If the 'landing' or user was against his commercial interests, I reckon he would have a quiet word in the ear of the airport management! (I don't know his involvement in those airports but I assume from the comment that he, or his company, has a controlling interest).

 

[browski]

It could be far, far worse....at least it is not owned by Macquarie Bank.

 

[Cynicor]

It could be far, far worse....at least it is not owned by Macquarie Bank.

Imagine the parking fees if it was!