Darwin airport to get 10 new dining options

Travellers at NT airports will no longer be restricted to just one or two dining options, with an additional 10 restaurants to be added this year.

AIRPORT Development Group has signed a new 10-year partnership with food and beverage operator Select Service Partners (SSP) to deliver a new range of taste choices at Darwin and Alice Springs airports.

Beginning on July 1, new eateries will replace old at Darwin Airport with, for example, The Dome being rebranded The Northern Common.

Other new outlets which will be progressively introduced include Asian Kitchen, Top End Burgers, Crate and Maccinetta. Hectors will reopen with a new menu.

In the international terminal Pronto by Maccinetta will open with The Gliding Goose, Roll’d, Red Rooster and Soul + Grain.

SSP says the partnership will usher in a new era for airport users and locals.

The partnership dovetails with an estimated $8m refurbishment of Darwin Airport which will commence in August and spruce up food and beverage outlets as well as reconfigure airport security as part of the upgrade.

In Alice Springs, Cafe Terra Rosa will continue to trade before a complete refurbishment will see it reopened as Discovered Cafe and Bar later in the year along with The Blue Bilby Cafe.

Some of the food options that are coming to NT airports, both in Darwin and Alice Springs. Picture: Facebook

The new outlets will offer a mix of all-day dining and cafe- style food and beverages.

Local produce will be used where possible including locally roasted coffee.

ADG’s executive general manager property and terminal Ross Baynes said the change would help meet the demands of extra passenger arrivals as Territory airports emerge from two years of Covid disruptions.

From the depths of Covid – at one stage passenger numbers were down 98 per cent – domestic passengers at Darwin Airport are back up to pre-2020 levels.

Part of the refurbishments will also aim to improve opportunities for family and friends to have a drink or meal with a departing guest.

Roll’d will come to the Darwin international terminal. Picture: Facebook

In addition, the airport wants to shift perceptions around the cost of food at airports.

“Historically, people have the right or wrong perception that airport food is more expensive,” Mr Baynes said.

“We need to be able to compete with the food court down at Casuarina by making sure the food provides value for money and what is being offered is to market standards as well as airport standards.

“Food and beverage offerings at airports are inextricably linked to customer experience so it’s really important we offer variety, quality and value.

“We are really thrilled to be bringing this level of customer experience to passengers travelling through our airports.”

SSP chief operating officer Shane Bayer acknowledged the importance of the NT market.

“This new venture will be our first business in the important Northern Territory of Australia,” he said.