China Southern Airlines: Australia is on 'cusp of a growth boom'

China Southern Airlines CEO Tan Wan'geng stated (20-Jan-2012) the carrier believes Australia is on the "cusp of a growth boom" that will see more than one million Chinese visiting Australia by 2020. Mr Tan said the boom had the potential to generate USD4 billion in direct benefits and USD15 billion in indirect benefits for the Australian economy by the end of the decade. "This will amount to a travel bonanza for Australia and Australians," he said. The airline intends to be a driving force for travel between Australia and China by increasing its present 35 weekly services to 55 by 2015. "By 2015, China Southern will carry an estimated 1.2 million passengers between Australia and China, around half of them Chinese travellers coming to Australia for pleasure or business," he said. The carrier has previously announced plans to launch operations on the 'Canton Route' from Australia to the UK and Europe, via is base in Guangzhou. [more - original PR]