Tigerair to be welcomed to the Top End as Brisbane-Darwin flights kick off

TIGERAIR will return to the Top End tonight, as its new Brisbane service is officially launched.

Tigerair Australia flies into Darwin tonight as it launches its Darwin-Brisbane service.

TIGERAIR will return to the Top End tonight, as its new Brisbane service is officially launched.

The daily flights will add more than 130,000 seats between Darwin and Brisbane each year, increasing airline choices on the popular route.

NT Airports CEO Ian Kew said it was exciting to see Tigerair expanding its coverage of the Territory.

“Tigerair’s new Brisbane service is great news for tourism, with the airline’s low cost structure providing more options to travellers from such an important market,” he said.

“Darwin-Brisbane is one of our top three domestic markets, and with the Dry on its way, these flights are timed perfectly for a whole new range of passengers to discover Darwin.

“It’s this focus on attracting a range of carriers and building capacity on essential routes that saw DIA win its second Routes Asia Marketing Award just last month.”

Serviced by one of Tigerair’s new A320 aircraft, which starts operations from today, the flights depart Brisbane daily at 8.45pm and arrive in Darwin at 12.25am; before leaving Darwin at 1.15am to arrive in Brisbane at 5.25am.

The flights will operate from Tigerair’s new Brisbane base, which opened in March.

Tourism Minister Matt Conlan said the new route would help boost tourism.

“This is great news for Darwin and for the Territory, and once again underlines the confidence in the NT’s tourism industry,’’ Mr Conlan said.

“Since it reintroduced services to Alice Springs last April, Tigerair has stimulated the price sensitive travel market to holiday in Central Australia and I have no doubt that this Brisbane – Darwin service will do the same for the Top End.

“Aviation is an extremely competitive industry and we are working hard to make sure that holidaying in the NT is high on any travellers’ wish list with our Do the NT campaign.”

Virgin Australia’s new daylight schedule comes into effect today between Darwin and Brisbane.

The schedule sees flights depart Brisbane at 9.30am before arriving into Darwin at 1.20pm.

The return flight leaves Darwin at 2.05pm and arrives in Brisbane at 6.15pm.