Kuala Lumpur-Darwin flights win praise from passengers

The Territory’s inaugural Air Asia flight from Malaysia has been well received by passengers. Read why.

AirAsia Malaysia flight AK612 arrives Friday 27 June. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Air Asia’s inaugural Kuala Lumpur-Darwin flight landed in the capital just after midday on Friday, heralding a new era in accessibility and customer choice for Top End travellers.

Business Minister Robyn Cahill boarded the first flight from KL into Darwin on Friday after several days conducting business in Malaysia.

With in excess of 130 routes out of Kuala Lumpur, she said the NT Government was “thrilled” to partner with Air Asia and Airport Development Group to deliver the extra services to the Territory.

Business Minister Roby Cahill arrives home in Darwin on board AirAsia Malaysia flight AK612 aon Friday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“If you fly from Darwin to Kuala Lumpur the world is your oyster,” she said.

“More flights will make it easier for people to visit and do business in the Territory. I encourage Territorians who are heading to Malaysia to take advantage of this fantastic service with direct and affordable flights into Kuala Lumpur four days a week.”

Ben Ellis, wife Aliesha and children Lillian and Amelia with Ben’s mother. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

For father-of-two Ben Ellis, the new route is less professional and more personal.

The Thailand resident’s parents live in Darwin, and he couldn’t wait to snap up tickets when the new service was announced in February.

“I try to come back to Darwin to see my parents but we’ve always had to go south to Sydney or Melbourne for the connections and with the kids, it’s a killer.,” Mr Ellis said.

“Day one, let’s go.

“Before this service it was an additional 24 to 36 hours’ worth of travel each way, and it was just too difficult with the kids. The last time we came to Darwin the fare was six or seven times as much and it took six or seven times longer.”

Dutch backpacker Abel Schuiling. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Dutch backpacker Abel Schuiling, who was meeting friends in town, was unaware when he booked his ticket a fortnight ago that it was the inaugural flight from KL into Darwin.

Nor was he aware that had he chosen to fly a week earlier, he would have had to disembark in a third-party airport enroute to Darwin.

“I’ve been in Australia for two years already and I’m looking to work in Darwin and Perth,” Abel said.

“I’ve got a business degree and am trying to get some work in business.”

AirAsia Malaysia chief executive Fareh Mazputra said the airline’s presence in Darwin strengthened its Australian footprint.

“Australia remains one of the group’s key growth markets and we are thrilled to touch down today for the first time in the Northern Territory,” he said.

“We are confident this new service will be well received, not only offering the only direct and affordable connectivity between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur, but also as the gateway to our vast network of over 130 destinations across Asia and beyond at great value.”

The inaugural flight and first return flight both had about 90 per cent passenger capacity.

Originally published as Kuala Lumpur-Darwin flights win praise from passengers