Virgin Australia reveals nearly 15,000 extra passenger seats to and from Darwin

Another airline has announced it will bring more new seats to and from the Territory in 2025 ahead of a crucial NT News aviation event. Find out what this means for the Territory.

Virgin Australia to bring extra passenger seats to Darwin in 2025. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Virgin Australia has added nearly 15,000 passenger seats to and from Darwin during this year’s peak season.

The Northern Summer scheduling season runs from April to October, with the seat increase set to make a 7 percent compared to the same period last year.

Virgin Australia will deliver an average of nearly 8,000 passenger seats to and from Darwin and more than 11,000 inbound passenger seats to and from the Northern Territory every week.

It comes at the NT News hosts a crucial NT News aviation round table, with Qantas and Jetstar also announcing more than 95,000 new seats to and from Darwin this year.

Virgin Australia Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Alistair Hartley said they recognised the importance of connectivity for residents and tourism operators in the NT.

“We strive to provide great value and choice across our services to and from Darwin, Alice Springs and, since mid-2024, Uluru,” Mr Hartley said.

Virgin Australia has added nearly 15,000 passenger seats to and from Darwin. Picture: Getty Images

“That is why we are adding nearly 15,000 extra passenger seats to and from Darwin in this year’s peak (Northern Summer) season, compared to the same time last year.”

“Every week, we operate more than 11,000 passenger seats in and out of the NT, connecting Territorians to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and beyond, and bringing visitors to the Top End.”

Mr Hartley said Virgin Australia was always looking for more opportunities, with direct services between Uluru and Brisbane and Melbourne starting for the first time in 2024.

Recent sales have had fares start from $109 from Uluru to Melbourne (one-way, Economy Lite) and from $195 from Darwin to Melbourne (one-way, Economy Lite).

“We work closely with tourism stakeholders including Tourism NT to offer customers affordable fares during off-peak periods when demand is lower, driving visitation and supporting the local tourism industry,” Mr Hartley said.

Virgin Australia Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Alistair Hartley. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We are committed to supporting domestic tourism and working with our global partners including Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada and ANA to support international connectivity.”

Northern Season 2025 capacity includes to Darwin up to two return services per day from Brisbane, up to nine from Melbourne per week and between five to seven services per week from Perth.

For Alice Springs there are up to three return services per week from Adelaide and between two and three return services per week from Brisbane.

And for Uluru there’s up to three return services per week from Brisbane and up to two return services per week from Melbourne.

Originally published as Virgin Australia reveals nearly 15,000 extra passenger seats to and from Darwin