Will you travel once NT borders open up?

THE border debate is heating up but the question remains: will you travel once they do open? HAVE YOUR SAY HERE

WITH South Australian borders now open to Territorians, those in the Northern Territory are anxiously waiting to hear when they’ll be able to come and go freely.

But airlines are unsure whether people will travel, cautiously adding flights one at a time.

According to airline sources, Qantas has begun adding one flight at a time between Melbourne and Sydney to see what the demand is.

The source said the flights were all almost completely full as soon as they went on sale.

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However, the airline has said it will not reinstate direct flights to Darwin from Adelaide while Chief Minister Michael Gunner keeps the Northern Territory border with South Australia closed.

SA Premier Steven Marshall opened his state’s borders Wednesday with the NT and WA sparking an outcry by peak Territory business and industry groups for Chief Minister Gunner to do likewise.

Mr Gunner has dismissed the calls and said the borders would remain shut and he would make an announcement about his plans on Friday.

Qantas said it would not be making changes to its schedule “at this time.”

“The border lift is not reciprocal so there are still restrictions in place for return flights,” the company said.

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“We are constantly monitoring the situation as it evolves and will add flights as we see restrictions lift and demand increase.”

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham has warned of avoidable mass job ­losses in tourism and hospitality if the border lockdowns continue. He says any state or territory leader who refuses to reopen their borders must release the scientific advice on which the decision is based.