Qantas launches direct flights between Darwin and Canberra

Qantas is launching direct flights from Darwin to Canberra next month.

Qantas is launching direct flights between Darwin and Canberra next month

• Alliance to begin extra NT Qantas services
• New Qantas deal to increase flights between NT and Adelaide

Qantas has announced it will be using E190 aircraft for the route — 94-seat jets with a five-hour range that are being deployed on Qantas’ network as part of a three-year deal with Alliance Airlines.

Qantas has announced it will be using E190 aircraft for the route — 94-seat jets with a five-hour range that are being deployed on Qantas’ network as part of a three-year deal with Alliance Airlines.

The service will start on June 21 and will operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with fares starting at $249 economy one way and peaking at $2,559 one way for business class.

Flights will leave Darwin at 12.30pm and arrive in Canberra at the respectable time of 5.15pm.

Qantas’s deal with Alliance provides the national carrier with the capacity for up to 14 jet aircraft, depending on market conditions.

Friday’s announcement brings the number of aircraft that will be activated as part of the agreement to eight.

The company is also activating a further five E190 jets aircraft to be based in Adelaide.

Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said the E190s were well suited to linking capital cities and regional centres.

“The E190 is a great aircraft with its size, range and economics opening up a number of new destinations that wouldn’t be viable with the larger 737 aircraft,” he said.

Chamber of Commerce NT chief executive officer Greg Ireland said the announcement was “very welcome”.

“It is important for several reasons,” he said.

“Not only will it make it easier to do business in the nation’s capital but in this current COVID world it reduces the risks of getting locked down in a state while in transit.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner also welcomed the announcement.

“Qantas launching direct flight from Darwin to Canberra is really welcome news,” he said.

“It will make doing business with Canberra easier for Territory businesses and it will mean yet more tourists visiting the Top End and the Territory this high season.

“It’s just more evidence that we’re coming back hard from this pandemic.”