Qantas Group announced (13-Nov-2018) plans to make a series of adjustments to its Northern Territory (NT) network, with sales opening on 14-Nov-2018 for travel from 31-Mar-2019. Details include:
- New routes:
- Launch of twice weekly Boeing 737 services from Adelaide and Darwin to Ayers Rock Connellan Airport;
- Network changes:
- Replace 717 with 737 equipment on Alice Springs-Darwin service, increasing seat capacity by 1300 weekly seats. This includes Qantas business class and introduction of IFE and free WiFi on selected services;
- Decrease Perth-Darwin year round frequency from 11 times weekly to daily;
- Decrease Perth-Alice Springs frequency from daily to twice weekly;
- Jetstar Australia will increase Cairns-Darwin frequency from four times weekly to daily during peak season, with Qantas ceasing the route;
- Cessation of Cairns-Alice Springs service. Connections will be available between Cairns and Alice Springs via Uluru.
Qantas domestic CEO Andrew David said the group is seeing "strong demand" for select services to the Northern Territory, while weaker demand has been registered from Cairns and Perth. Services between Cairns and Alice Springs and Cairns and Darwin have averaged around half capacity, Mr David said, prompting the group to redirect these aircraft to other NT routes and parts of the network. [more - original PR]