A second international freight airline could soon be operating out of
Wellcamp airport, taking produce direct to mainland China.
The Toowoomba Chronicle can reveal Toowoomba and Surat Basin has entered into advanced talks with a Chinese company which has a close focus on the Darling Downs produce.
TSBE executive chairman Shane Charles said the airline, which operates in the Chinese domestic market, was looking to "branch into international markets" with Toowoomba topping its list.
"They have identified our region as a prime agricultural area," he said.
"They are mostly interested in the freight products from Australia to mainland China."
Mr Charles said TSBE had been in talks with the company and this week hosted a delegation with high-level management in Toowoomba.
He said the company, whose name he would not reveal because of commercial confidentiality, was looking exclusively at Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.
"They're concentrating on us first and have requested that (TSBE) give them assistance to talk to freight-forwarders in Australia, as well as potential suppliers.
"They are looking to try and set up a service next year."
If successful, the airline will be the second international freight service to export cargo and goods from Wellcamp airport following Cathay Pacific. Cathay Pacific previously flagged a possible expansion to its existing weekly freight service which takes Darling Downs produce from Wellcamp airport, after pick-ups in Sydney and Melbourne.
Mr Charles said TSBE had played a key role in the negotiations with the second Chinese operator, with a delegation from the company due to return to Toowoomba in September.
He said TSBE's Shanghai-based business development manager Wen Lui had been instrumental in early talks which had progressed to the advanced stages.
"It's due to the relationship we have with China and the network we have set up," he said.
"It's early days and this takes a lot of time.
"They know that it's early days but they will potentially grow with us as
we are seen as a significant freight transport and logistics hub.''
Story sourced from here
www.thechronicle.com.au/news/regions-international-freight-cusp-major-boon/3205298/
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