Daily flights between Darwin and Sydney on Qantas, Jetstar to restart four return flights per week
JETSTAR will join Qantas and restart return flights between Darwin and Sydney in October
Northern Territory
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JETSTAR will restart four direct flights per week between Darwin and Sydney on October 9, if the Greater Sydney’s hot spot status is revoked.
Qantas and Jetstar suspended all flights after the NT declared Greater Sydney a COVID-19 hotspot on July 15.
On October 9 Qantas will reintroduce direct daily flights between Sydney and Darwin, and Jetstar will operate up to four flights per week.
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A Qantas Group spokeswoman said the current three return flights between Sydney and Alice Springs would continue, with Qantas to monitor the route and look to increase flights if there is higher demand.
“The resumption of Qantas and Jetstar flights between Sydney and Darwin will be fantastic for the tourism industry and the broader Northern Territory economy,” she said.
Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said with the onset of warmer weather, it was critical the Territory be marketed as the ultimate outdoor adventure.
“With the international borders closed, and we understand why, we need interstate travellers, and the family and friends market to be as strong as we can get them,” he said.
“The wet season has some of the best landscape in the country to experience, and for everyone who’s hot — there's a pool … Our modern facilities, and our vibrant culture lends itself to come and enjoy and relax.
“We should be billing this as Australia’s playground.”
Chamber of Commerce NT chief executive Greg Ireland said the flights were a major economic boon for the Territory.
“We know that between the Victorian economy and the New South Wales economy, that represents roughly 50 per cent of the overall Australian economy,” he said.
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“They will be come a focus with jurisdictions over the next number of months and I think it would be fantastic for us to welcome as many of them as possible under the current health guidelines,”
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Natasha Fyles was hopeful greater NSW’s hotspot status would be lifted, given the progress made to control the virus.
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