Qantas picks up Virgin route from Darwin to Alice Springs

QANTAS has added new flights between Alice and Darwin following Virgin’s decision to exit the route

Qantas has added new flights between Alice and Darwin following Virgin’s decision to exit the route

• VIRGIN scraps its Darwin to Alice Springs route
• QANTAS launches new Darwin to Broome route
• HISTORIC Darwin/Uluru/Adelaide direct Qantas flights begin

QANTAS has added new flights between Alice and Darwin following Virgin’s decision to exit the route.

The new flights began appearing in the booking system on Wednesday with the start date from January 29.

QantasLink chief executive officer John Gissing said the airline would launch three additional weekly return flights between Alice Springs and Darwin.

He said the additional services, to be operated by QantasLink’s Fokker 100 aircraft, provided up to 600 more seats on the route each week for the remainder of the off-peak season.

The flights will initially operate on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with the third additional service to start on Sunday mornings from March 1.

Mr Gissing said Qantas would continue to monitor demand over the coming weeks as it considered scheduling further flights during the peak season from July to September.

“As the national carrier, and the country’s largest regional airline, we know how important reliable air travel is for remote communities like Alice Springs,” Mr Gissing said.

“We understand the impact the reduction in flights would have for both residents and business travellers, so we are adding these services.

“We have a long and proud history connecting the Northern Territory which we continue to build on.

“This year Qantas has launched three new Northern Territory routes, which demonstrates our continued commitment to the Top End.”

NT Tourism Minister Lauren Moss has welcomed the Qantas decision to expand its services across the Northern Territory.

“Accessible and affordable air services are one of the biggest issues for Territorians and for visitors to the Territory,” Ms Moss said.

“As a government, we will continue to build demand for services by investing in tourism and work closely with airlines like Qantas.

“We will also continue to advocate on behalf of Territorians for the best possible deal when it comes to air services.

“Alice Springs residents also have access to our Discounted Fares for Residents program, which offers year-round discounts of at least 20 per cent. It also ensures that local residents will not pay more than around $400 one-way ($800 return) to Darwin, even when booking last minute or during peak periods.”

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This year Qantas has launched three new services to the Northern Territory, from Uluru to Darwin and Adelaide in March, and from Darwin to Broome in October.

The Qantas Group contributed more than $150 million to the Northern Territory economy last year and supported more than 400 jobs.