Hobart International International Airport is set to resume scheduled international operations during the first half of next year after Qantas Freight (Sydney Kingsford Smith) secured an exclusive contract to transport fresh Tasmanian milk to Ningbo, China for and on behalf of VAN Dairy.

In a statement, the Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith) Cargo unit said it would use its B767-300F, wet-leased from Express Freighters Australia (QE, Sydney Kingsford Smith), to transport 50,000 litres of fresh milk per flight. Assuming all government and regulatory hurdles are cleared, the route will operate once weekly but may increase depending on demand.

“There is a huge demand for fresh milk in China and the key to satisfying that demand is having a reliable freight partner with an established freighter network, infrastructure and support in China and expertise in handling fresh produce – Qantas provides that,” the Managing Director of VAN Dairy’s parent company, Moon Lake Investments, Sean Shwe, said.

Moon Lake Investments has chosen Ningbo and China’s capital, Beijing, as initial distribution areas, with plans to extend its market reach to Shanghai, Hangzhou, and other cities after the product is established.