Jetstar scraps Darwin Singapore route

Jetstar has scrapped one of its key routes, popular with holiday travellers.

Jetstar has scrapped its Darwin – Singapore route, disappointing travellers to no end.

The route — which is scheduled to operate on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday throughout July — will end on August 6.

In a statement to the NT News, a Jetstar Asia spokesman could not say why the route was being suspended.

“Due to a range of reasons, we are suspending our services between Singapore and Darwin from the 6th of August,” he said.

“We sincerely apologise to customers for the inconvenience and frustration this causes and will be in contact in coming days to offer them a range of options, including a refund.”

According to one traveller, who was trying to book flights further afield in Asia, the loss is big.

“I like to travel,” he said.

“It certainly seems strange. I was on one of the flights just the other day and it was pretty much full.”

Another traveller said they’d now have to consider going through Bali or flying with premium airline Singapore Airlines.

“That’s just unbelievable,” he said.

“If you want to go anywhere, you’ll have to go through Bali.”

However, he did say the route cancellation could open up more opportunities for Territory owned airlines.

“You’d hope that Air North could jump in and do a Darwin - Dili - Singapore route,” he said.

Tourism Minister Nicole Manison said Jetstar’s decision was disheartening, particularly as the Territory struggled to regain the pre-Covid tourism dollar.

“We are very disappointed in the decision of Jetstar Asia to withdraw from Darwin, citing issues such as fuel prices making the route unprofitable at this time,” Ms Manison said.

“We do understand that most airlines across the world are struggling with workforce as they scale up operations post Covid.”

Ms Manison said the government was lobbying for the airline to reconsider.

“We have had several discussions and will have further meetings with Jetstar, to lobby for this to change,” she said.

“(And) the Territory Government are in discussions with other airlines about further services on the Singapore route.”

Tourism NT data reported international travellers contributed $435m to the Northern Territory economy prior to Covid.

In the 12 months prior to March 2022, the Territory welcomed more than 282,000 visitors, who spent a total of three million nights in the Top End and Central Australia, splashing out an average of $1540 per person per trip.

International travellers made up a smaller part of the NT tourism dollar compared to fellow Aussies, who spent $2.14b in the year ending March 2020.

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