Jetstar shuts Darwin base as competition grows
Jetsar has axed flights from Darwin to Manila and Tokyo and scaled back other services from the Northern Territory following increased competition from foreign airlines.
The carrier will also close its base in Darwin and instead establish an operation in Adelaide. Three A320 aircraft will move from the NT to the South Australian capital with a fourth A320 relocating to Adelaide from Melbourne.
Along with the suspension of the underperforming Manila and Tokyo services, Jetstar will reduce Darwin to Singapore flights from nine per week to daily with Jetstar Asia taking over the operation of the route.
Flights to Bali will reduce from eight per week to daily.
Domestically, flights from Darwin to Cairns will increase from three per week to daily while the number of Brisbane service will fall from nine to daily. Overall, Jetstar flights from Darwin will fall from 54 to 49 per week.
Jetstar said Darwin has always been among the most marginal on its network.
“The decision to relocate flying [to Adelaide] is in response to increased capacity and competition, particularly on international routes from foreign carriers,” the carrier said in a statement.
“These changes will ensure we maintain the highest productivity of our aircraft and reflect our strategy to deploy aircraft on routes to meet market demand.
“It makes sense to base aircraft where there is more network growth as it keeps our fares low and ensures we have the flexibility to optimise our network and adapt to changing market conditions.”
The creation of a cabin crew and pilot base in Adelaide will see the workforce grow from 40 to 160 with recruitment to start today.
The announcement came as the Qantas off-shoot is poised to launch its first international service from Adelaide, to Auckland and Bali.
“Basing four aircraft at Adelaide will allow us to expand our schedule and add one extra daily flight between Melbourne and Adelaide and Sydney and Adelaide respectively,” Jetstar Australia and New Zealand chief executive David Hall said.
“Our presence in Adelaide has more than doubled in the past four years and we believe the establishment of a dedicated crew base will provide a solid foundation to continue to grow low fares from the capital of South Australia.”
Jetstar, which operates up to 88 domestic services each week from Adelaide, will launch a three times weekly service to Auckland on December 16 and a three times weekly flight to Bali on December 18.
Latest News
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
Speakers from Australia’s top travel brands including Flight Centre, Luxury Escapes and the Australian Airports Association will be gathering in Cairns at the beginning of June this year for Travel DAZE Exec. The two-day conference is Australia’s leading event for individuals working in the travel industry. As a special bonus ticket holders will also have […]
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Sno’n’Ski Holidays will whisk 30 top-performing travel agents from Australia and New Zealand on an unforgettable journey to Colorado as part of its Mega Famil in 2025. The agents are set to visit Steamboat, Vail, Aspen Snowmass & Telluride ski resorts in Colorado, along with a city-stopover in Denver. The Sno’n’Ski Mega Famil , in […]
Walk Japan launches the Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
Walk Japan has launched a walking tour exploring the rural parts of Kyoto. Kyoto: Mountains to the Sea is a fully-guided, eight-day tour that ventures through Kyoto’s backcountry; a lovely countryside where the pace of life is still measured by seasons and a multitude of colourful festivals throughout the year. Here, however, visitors, Japanese and from […]
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
The Cook Islands are taking over TikTok travel bucket lists with #CookIslands amassing an impressive 10 million views in Australia over the past 4 months. The increased attention is filtering through to spend —new data from Webjet reveals a 48 per cent rise in bookings for travel to the Cook Islands in the next six […]
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
SeaLink Marine & Tourism has appointed Red Cat Adventures and Whitsundays Jet Ski Tours founder Asher Telford as general manager of SeaLink Whitsundays, following its acquisition of his multi award-winning tourism operation late last year. Asher and Julie Telford founded Red Cat Adventures in 2015, eventually employing a team of 75, and operating five custom-built […]
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the Signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
In case you haven’t heard, Rail Europe has rolled out its latest campaign which will see one very lucky travel advisor’s dream train journey through Europe come true in the very near future. In the lead up to the launch of Rail Europe’s e-brochure featuring a host of sample-themed itineraries across Europe, travel advisors can […]
Bonza’s future on knife edge
It's would seem a long road back from here, perhaps a knife's edge is too much credit.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.
Amora Hotels & Resorts set to double APAC portfolio, announces new Sydney office
Staff in the new Sydney office have been welcomed by a week of rain on the forecast.
RIU opens Chicago hotel and rooftop bar a few steps from the world-famous Magnificent Mile
Rooftop cocktails hold a dear place in your heart? Look no further than RIU Chicago.
How can travel agents best sell cruises? Uniworld’s Alice Ager tells all: Travel Weekly TV
Agents, you don't want to miss this. Yes, that's the case with everything in the newsletter, but we really mean it here!
South Africa bookings are back in action
It's a wrap! South Africa in the news with resumed flights, film fest and booking tech.
Agents’ chance to score free spot on Intrepid trip to Antarctica
This is the trip of a lifetime, even if you are scared of the cold!
Bonza nosediving amid mass cancellations and reports of repossessed planes
Bonza's days appear to be numbered as the low-cost carrier today announced mass cancellations around the country.
Amy Poehler joins Vivid Sydney event
Oh Joy! Hit comedian Amy Poehler will make an emotional appearance at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid.
Pullman Sydney Penrith ties up with Trilogy Hotels, announces new GM
The crew from Trilogy hotels doing their best impression of the Penrith front row here.
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.
Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut
Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.
NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages
It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.
Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager
Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.
Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW
The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!
Australian visitors to South Korea surge
Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.
G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips
Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.
Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays
If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!
Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800
The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.
South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen
Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.
My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse
Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse? ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.