Darwin airport ‘primed and ready’ to take in international arrivals as calls grow for government to help stranded Aussies

Darwin Airport is “primed, safe and ready” to welcome international arrivals its operator has said, as calls mount for the federal government to set up a commonwealth-managed quarantine facility.

DARWIN International Airport is “primed, safe and ready” to welcome international arrivals its operator has said, as calls mount for the federal government to set up a commonwealth-managed quarantine facility to help repatriate thousands of Australians stuck overseas amid the pandemic.

The operator of Darwin International Airport, where 1000 international passengers disembarked daily prior to COVID-19, said it was aware of the “current desire” for offshore Australians to come home and for international students to resume their studies in the country.

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Antonio Mezzadoni and Ingrid Ieremie arrive in Darwin from the Gold Coast. Picture: Che Chorley

“We will support the Australian and NT governments on the resumption of international flights,” a spokeswoman said.

Latest government figures show at least 25,000 citizens overseas who want to come home.

A day after Health Minister Natasha Fyles confirmed the NT Government was in discussion with federal counterparts about being “open” to taking in international arrivals, Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese called on the Commonwealth to use Air Force planes to bring Australians home.

Mr Albanese argued the RAAF VIP fleet was “largely sitting idle” and there was “nothing to stop the government doing this practical measure”.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the arrival cap would be discussed by National Cabinet on Friday while noting that Howard Springs had once been used as a Commonwealth facility for “one-off” COVID-19 repatriation missions.

“Commercial airlines continue to play a vital role in bringing Australians home, and have the capacity to repatriate more Australian should the caps be increased,” he said.