Virgin swings axe on more NT flights

Virgin Australia will be dropping another NT route next month, as it cuts back to address its financial woes

Virgin Australia will drop its Darwin to Alice Springs flights next month

VIRGIN Australia will be dropping its Darwin to Alice Springs flights next month, as it cuts back on less profitable domestic routes to address its financial woes.

The carrier will be scrapping it’s Darwin-Alice Springs route from January 29, 2020, as a part of a wider review the airline started in August.

The shock announcement comes hot on the heels of Virgin also ending its Darwin to Bali flight and it’s budget carrier Tiger Airways axing its Darwin to Brisbane route early next year.

A Virgin Australia spokesman said they decided to cut Darwin-Alice Springs route due the decline of passenger volumes over the past few years, as well as a reduction in the number of customers who wish to fly.

“From December 3, 2019 onwards, we will proactively communicate with passengers booked to travel on these services from January 29, 2020 onwards,” he said.

“Where possible, and if suitable for the passenger, we will offer re-accommodation via another port, a full refund (including Velocity Points) or a Travel Bank with all cancellation fees waived.

“Virgin Australia remains committed to both the Darwin and Alice Springs markets and will continue to serve both ports with direct services between Darwin and Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, and between Alice Springs and Adelaide and Brisbane.”

Virgin runs a daily 7am flight from Darwin to Alice Springs but after it ends, Qantas and Airnorth will be the only ones left offering direct flights between the two cities.

Central Australian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Alana Richardson said she hopes that Qantas doesn’t decide to profit from the situation and increase airfares on the route as a consequence.

“This will certainly have an impact on local business and the community as a whole,” she said.

Tourism Minister Lauren Moss said she was “very disappointed” by Virgin’s decision to cut the route.

“We continue to work with our airline partners to maintain affordable airfares for Territorians, particularly between Darwin and Alice Springs and this has been discussed with Qantas,” she said.

Originally published as Virgin swings axe on more NT flights