Virgin Australia has announced plans to operate three-times-weekly return services between Darwin and Alice Springs from late March 2015.
The commencement of the new services, to be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft, has been timed to coincide with the opening of Virgin Australia’s new premium lounge at Darwin Airport, chief executive John Borghetti announced on Thursday.
“We recognise the importance of the Northern Territory as a key business and tourism destination in Australia and look forward to increasing competition on these key routes to the benefit of our customers from early next year,” Borghetti said in a statement.
The new services will operate on weekdays, a Virgin Australia spokesperson confirmed to Australian Aviation, “but we can’t confirm dates as yet”.
The flights were announced after Borghetti met with Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles.
“These new Virgin Australia services are fantastic news for Alice Springs, creating choice on this important route and hopefully driving down ticket prices for Territory passengers,” Giles said.
“I am thrilled we have been able to negotiate these three new Virgin Australia flights linking two key destinations in Northern Australia. It firmly establishes Virgin Australia as a major player in our aviation industry.”
