Qantas has announced the commencement of 5 x weekly flights from Darwin to Singapore. The flights start on 9 December and will increase in frequency to daily from March 2025, adding approx. 60,000 seats to the route per annum.
In their media release, Qantas says it opens up a new one-stop option from Darwin to Europe and Asia via Singapore, [it is the] fastest way for Territorians to travel to London and [it will be] easier for tourists from UK, Europe and Asia to access the Territory.
The access to and from Asia is significant for Darwin and educational institutions in the Territory.
Scott Bowman, Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Darwin University, says, “The news of new flights into Darwin from Singapore is great news for Charles Darwin University and the Northern Territory. The number of international students attending CDU has increased massively over the last two years. Having better air links between Darwin and Southeast Asia makes the university even more attractive.”
“CDU has an ambitious vision to increase the number of international students and the number of its international partnerships; better air links will make this vision a reality. Presently, students and staff only have limited direct flights to Singapore and Bali. Increased seats to Singapore will be a great help.” He says.
Connections from the top end to Asia is something that has been has raised previously. In a CMM story (4/6/23), Michael Fay from ASEAN Focus Group said, “Aviation links with Indonesia as one key area holding back Australian–Indonesian engagement. While flights to Jakarta and Denpasar are relatively frequent, to unlock the potential of populous tier-two cities in Indonesia flights into and out of these cities are required, potentially even connecting via Darwin.”
Bowman agrees in extending Darwin’s flight network to the broader region, saying, “I do feel that we also need direct flights to the subcontinent and China. International students are starting to see the Northern Territory as a land of opportunity- airlines now need to find a way of getting them to the promised land.”
An extra 60,000 seats per annum on the Singapore route is certainly a start and a good thing for the Territory.
