Jetstar set to fly daily to Darwin from Adelaide

BUDGET airline Jetstar is launching a daily service between Adelaide and Darwin, adding an extra 1080 seats a week between the cities.

Jetstar

BUDGET airline Jetstar is launching a daily service between Adelaide and Darwin, adding an extra 1080 seats a week between the cities.

From September 1, the new service will fly during daylight hours, replacing its four-day-a-week service that leaves in the middle of the night.

The new schedule will link with international Jetstar flights to Bali and Singapore.

It has been welcomed by the State Government and travel industry. But both said Qantas and its Jetstar subsidiary should also provide direct flights from Adelaide to international destinations.

Bookings for the 3hr 40min Darwin flights are on sale from today. Prices start at $179 one way.

Travel agent Phil Hoffmann welcomed the new daily service by the Qantas-owned budget airline, but he would also like to see direct services offered to Auckland and Bali.

"Darwin is one of the hardest destinations to get to because of limited opportunities and horrendous flying times," he said. "This new service is good news for South Australian travellers to Darwin and for those heading to Singapore or Bali because they will now be heading in the right direction."

Jetstar flights from Adelaide to Bali currently go to Singapore via Melbourne or Sydney and to Bali via Perth.

State Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said he hoped the new Jetstar daily daytime flights would encourage more international tourists to the Top End and also to visit South Australia.

"This is a slight improvement in services to Adelaide but Malaysia, Cathay Pacific and Singapore airlines are doing a much better job bringing international tourists to South Australia than Qantas or Jetstar," he said.

The additional flights from Adelaide came because of increased demand, Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David Hall said.

"We are delighted to be adding this additional capacity from Adelaide," he said. "As a low-fares carrier, we are able to move decisively to meet demand." 

Airbus A320 jets carrying 180 passengers and fitted with iPads loaded with movies and TV shows for entertainment will be used on the new service. Flights depart Adelaide at 11.55am to arrive in Darwin at 3.35pm and depart Darwin at 7.15am to land in Adelaide at 10.55am.