The NT government is looking to increase air routes as international markets re-open after Covid

Travellers face ongoing price pain, with the NT News’ Future NT event revealing flight tickets will stay high for longer than expected. Experts reveal how airfares can be reduced.

Territorians have up to three years of airfare price pain ahead.

That warning was delivered at the NT News’ Future NT event on Friday as Territorians reel under the impact of sky-rocketing ticket prices.

Travellers in Alice Springs are under pressure with Qantas one-way fares to Melbourne over the next two weeks sitting between $450 and $550.

Keynote speaker Simon Kuestenmacher said the secret to better air services was demand.

Mr Kuestenmacher said the government’s plan to grow the Territory’s population and economy would have a long-term impact on fares and air routes.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, then NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner and then Tourism Minister Natasha Fyles met in February ahead of an announcement of new routes out of Darwin. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“As far as I understand it, during the pandemic flights to and out of Darwin were condensed and this drove prices up,” he said.

“It’s a certain type of inflow, outflow that happens out of any major town no matter and that’s what occurred here cause all flights.”

Mr Kuestenmacher said a consequence of this was increased ticket prices, which was not addressed post-pandemic.

“It should solve itself in three years - or there about - once planes become available and once the pilot shortage has softened a bit,” he said.

“At the moment, in the medium term, you’ll pay a lot.”

NT Investment Commissioner Andy Cowan said the Territory Government would continue to work with the major carriers to attract new routes.

Mr Cowan welcomed Qantas’ introduction of the narrow-bodied Embraer on Darwin routes to Canberra, Cairns and Townsville.

“We should be looking at innovative approaches because we know once international tourism returns, we have a lot of people coming here to visit our assets like Uluru or Kakadu,” he said.

Territory Investment Commissioner Andy Cowan says the NT needs a number of things to happen before airfares fall.

“We have to look at how to secure increased connectivity.

“At the moment you can’t get a seat on Singpore Airlines getting into Singapore and we need a direct link to Jakarta and a number of other markets.”

Mr Cowan said a shortage of routes and services impacted all Territorians.

He said a Northern Territory Government delegation to Vietnam recently had to fly from Darwin to Sydney then to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City.

“For anyone’s time in their diary that’s neither costly or time efficient. Connectivity is vital and also for keeping people in the Territory to ensure you can visit your grandparents or kids in Victoria and catch-up in a cost effective manner,” he said.