Virgin Australia scraps Darwin routes amid coronavirus crisis

VIRGIN Australia has dumped two key Darwin routes in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Virgin Australia have announced changes to its Darwin schedule (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

VIRGIN Australia has dumped two key Darwin routes in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

The airline has announced it will scrap its direct Darwin-Sydney and Darwin-Melbourne routes between April 1 and June 14.

It has also scrapped its Sydney-Ayers Rock route for the same timeframe.

The news comes on the back of Jetstar and Qantas making major changes to its Darwin routes.

Jetstar has suspended all Darwin services as part of its coronavirus response.

Qantas also announced major cuts to its Territory services.

Now the borders to the Territory will effectively be closed from Tuesday it is expected airlines will cut further flights to the Territory.

The Qantas and Jetstar changes will take effect from April 1 and will be in place until at least the end of May at this stage.

The cuts are in line with the Qantas Group’s decision to reduce domestic flights nationwide by 60 per cent.

Suspended regional Qantas routes:

Adelaide to Uluru; Darwin (direct).

Alice Springs to Uluru; Brisbane; Melbourne: Perth.

Uluru to Cairns

Darwin to Adelaide (direct); Uluru; Broome; Melbourne.

Revised Qantas main line network routes:

Sydney to Darwin (7 return services per week, down from 11)

Brisbane-Darwin (3 return services per week, down from 7)

Adelaide-Alice Springs (7 return services per week, nil change)

Sydney-Alice Springs (7 return services per week, nil change)

Darwin-Alice Springs (7 return services per week, down from 14)

JETSTAR

Jetstar domestic

Suspended routes: All Darwin services

Revised routes: Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Sydney (6 return services per week, down from 7)