Jetstar’s October flights to Bali grounded by Darwin airport upgrades

Tourism Minister Nicole Manison has called for the Defence Department to reveal its Darwin airport plans as upgrade works potentially throw Territorians’ travel plans into disarray.

Jetstar has cancelled flights from Darwin to Denpasar ahead of planned airport tarmac upgrades, potentially throwing Territorians’ Build Up escape plans into disarray.

The low-cost carrier said it would cease flying the Bali run between October 9 and November 8 “due to potential runway works by the Department of Defence”.

Defence is planning to upgrade the Darwin airport runway starting in August, with works loosely scheduled to conclude in October next year.

But with the heavy machinery yet to move in, Jetstar has left the door open to reactivating cancelled flights if the planned works don’t go ahead before October.

Major headaches are expected for the next two Top End tourist seasons with Qantas already flagging fare increases and disrupted services over the next two Dry Seasons.

Jetstar said the proposed stoppage was timed to minimise interruptions to Territory families’ plans, with Darwin flights into Denpasar and return scheduled to end the day after NT school holidays wrap-up.

Jetstar says flights could be ‘put back on sale’ if the works don’t commence as planned. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“While the dates and times of the runway works have not yet been confirmed, we have proactively stopped selling flights during this period to limit the number of customers potentially affected,” the company said in a statement.

“If the works do not go ahead on these dates, we will put the flights back on sale.”

The airline said if the works were confirmed, it would contact pre-booked customers to “discuss their options”, which included indirect flights via another port, a travel credit or a refund on the payment.

In response, the Defence Department said civilian flight arrangements were the responsibility of airlines and the Territory’s Airport Development Group.

“These essential works will support the safe and efficient operation of the airport for at least the next decade,” a spokesman said.

“The works are planned to commence in August 2023 and be completed by late 2024.

“They are being staged to minimise disruption to civilian and military aircraft operations.”

In response, Tourism Minister Nicole Manison called on defence to clarify the works program’s timeline.

“We need defence to urgently give certainty around the scheduled works and the timeline,” she said.

AirAsia could step into the breach left by Jetstar’s planned cancellation of flights to Bali.

“The Territory government has been calling for this to be sorted out as quickly as possible and to minimise disruptions to airlines as we don’t want to see a loss of services or higher prices during these works.

“It is already having an impact on flight availability.”

Meanwhile, the Airport Development Group has not ruled out speculation swirling around the tourism industry that AirAsia will launch a weekly Darwin-Denpasar service next month.

ADG general manager Selwyn D’Souza said the airport was always after new customers.

“ADG is aware of the importance of flight travel to Territorians and is committed to increasing airline connectivity,” he said when asked about AirAsia’s return to the NT.

“ADG is in ongoing discussions with national and international airlines to increase capacity on existing routes and create new routes from our airports.”

AirAsia has been contacted for comment.