A MASSIVE injection of capacity on Asian air routes will open the floodgates to more international visitors Down Under.
From this month thousands of extra seats will become available as a result of new or additional services to Japan, China, the Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong. 
The capacity surge will see airlines such as Hong Kong, Xiamen and All Nippon Airways make their debut or return to the Australian market.
Another nine airlines are adding new services or more seats to predominantly Asian routes, including Philippine Airlines, Air China, China southern, China Eastern, Scoot, Silk Air, AirAsia X, Qantas and Jetstar.
The news comes just weeks after the NT Government signed a long-term lease deal for the Port of Darwin with Landbridge Group and an exclusive NT News report that discussions were under way to launch direct flights between China and the Top End.
China Southern has ties to the port's new owner.
By early next year, an additional 12,000 seats a week will be available between Australia and Chinese destinations, and 6000-plus between Australia and Singapore.
Tourism Australia Managing Director John O'Sullivan said the extra capacity would mean strong growth in overseas visitors could continue into 2016. In the year to   August, the number of Chinese visitors Down Under surged 21 per cent, those from the Philippines increased 19 per cent, Hong Kong tourist numbers grew by 4.8 per cent and Singaporean visitors were up 3.4 per cent.
"What's really interesting about the inbound tourism story for our country is just how closely recent increases in our international visitor numbers correlate to international aviation capacity," Mr O'Sullivan said. "To achieve our Tourism 2020 goals we still -require significant and sustainable increases in aviation access and capacity which is why the pipeline we see coming through now is so pleasing."TA General Manager for Destination Development Katherine Droga said their focus would continue to be on Asia to grow additional capacity to Australia using cash from the Federal Government's Asia Marketing Fund.