iscover
Qantas and Jetstar will ramp up their Darwin capacity by more than 10 per cent this year.
The two airlines will between them increase available seats to and from the Top End to more than 2.3 million in 2025, with more flights between Darwin and Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, and Sydney. It comes as Virgin Australia axes its seasonal Darwin–Adelaide service citing low demand.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
From April to May, Qantas will increase Darwin–Adelaide flights from 10 to 14 per week, while Jetstar will boost Darwin–Adelaide from four to seven per week between June and October, for a total of three combined flights per day.
Qantas flights from Darwin to Brisbane will go from nine to 10 per week in May and 13 in June, including a new daily 737 service, while Qantas will fly 12 times per week to Sydney from April–May and double daily from June–October, meaning there will be three daily Qantas Group flights between Darwin and Sydney in the July school holidays.
Finally, Qantas will bring back its seasonal Darwin-Canberra service three times per week from July to September.
“More than 95,000 new domestic seats a year will provide even more flight and fare options across Qantas and Jetstar, supporting locals and the NT’s tourism economy,” Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said.
“The Qantas Group’s total capacity in Darwin will grow by 11 per cent compared to the same time last year as we count down to the launch of Qantas’ new Darwin to Singapore service next month.
“We’re always looking for ways to help Territorians take off more for less, with fares from just $79 last year. Our additional capacity will see Jetstar offer daily flights between Adelaide and Darwin, providing close to 3000 low-cost seats a week on the route.”
Virgin Australia last week confirmed it was cutting its three-times-weekly Darwin–Adelaide service, which was set to return on 22 June but has now been suspended “indefinitely” due to low forecasted demand.
“While we understand this will be disappointing for some guests, this enables us to reallocate capacity to markets where demand is higher,” the airline said.
In particular, the carrier said it would increase seat capacity through Darwin by approximately 9 per cent compared to the same period last year, including adding more peak season direct flights between Darwin–Brisbane and Darwin–Melbourne.
The major carriers last year defended themselves against accusations of price gouging in Darwin, citing factors such as small population, seasonality, and high airport fees.
Qantas will launch a Darwin–Singapore route with its new A220 fleet next month.
