Is Darwin International Airport an accurate description?

[JKhan]

Darwin airport is the worst airport in Australia that purports to be an International airport. The country's major carriers lounge is smaller than most football change rooms. Let's not even start with no Virgin facilities John Borghetti. Then there are the facilities for the vast majority of domestic & international travellers, school canteens dish up a better selection of food. Then seating, my word do the owners of the airport understand that the majority of their clients don't go in or can't fit in the one carrier lounge so they require somewhere to while away the time to the board. Oh that's right, we keep them in the security queue, the day I write this at least 6 flights checking in and one, yes one x-ray being manned. BAH to Darwin airport, what have you done for the last decade, this airport should at least be the equal of Adelaide by now!!!!

 

[opusman]

Rant over?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Darwin airport is the worst airport in Australia that purports to be an International airport. The country's major carriers lounge is smaller than most football change rooms. Let's not even start with no Virgin facilities John Borghetti. Then there are the facilities for the vast majority of domestic & international travellers, school canteens dish up a better selection of food. Then seating, my word do the owners of the airport understand that the majority of their clients don't go in or can't fit in the one carrier lounge so they require somewhere to while away the time to the board. Oh that's right, we keep them in the security queue, the day I write this at least 6 flights checking in and one, yes one x-ray being manned. BAH to Darwin airport, what have you done for the last decade, this airport should at least be the equal of Adelaide by now!!!!

The Qantas Club is currently undergoing an expansion. The meal I had at the new Café Dome back in May I would rate well above what a school canteen would dish up.

As for lack of x-ray machines or security staff the blame should rest fair and square on the shoulders of the governments who sell off major infrastructure like airports to private enterprise whose corporate greed will always come before the services they're paid huge amounts to provide.

 

[Melburnian1]

When catching an international flight there was no view of the tarmac or surrounding area at all.

Unimpressive.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Sure it's not Singapore, but for a city of ~160k people I think it's adequate. I anticipate the refurb underway will be a significant improvement. The majority of the complainants (OP) grumbles will be addressed by the refurb, except the VA lounge, which isn't necessarily DRW airport's fault anyway.

 

[markis10]

When catching an international flight there was no view of the tarmac or surrounding area at all.

Unimpressive.

There used to be until the renovations, will have to check it out this week, as it's been a while. Their passenger taxes are very high for what you get.

 

[smithy]

Once the refurb of the airport is completed, I think you may have a different opinion. For what it is worth, I went to the opening of this airport back in 1991 and at that time, it was a massive improvement on the old site which used to be accessed via Stuart Highway.

 

[TomVexille]

Surely that title goes to CBR, which has no scheduled international service. Unlike DRW which does

 

[Mattg]

Surely that title goes to CBR, which has no scheduled international service. Unlike DRW which does

At least CBR is nice.

 

[Happy Trails]

It's in Darwin, it's an airport and it has international flights .
So yes it's accurate, if a touch grandiose.

 

[TomVexille]

At least CBR is nice.

Never said that it wasn't

 

[SeatBackForward]

Well just further convinces me that QF should make Darwin their international gateway for Australia.

 

[NFF]

It's a miniature of Adelaide airport. You wouldn't get lost there.

 

[RooFlyer]

No, Hobart must take the gong for worst International Airport in Australia.

QP is minute; no Virgin lounge at all. Queues for security often reach 60 pax long....

HBA retains it's International designation courtesy of flights to Antarctica

I remember the old Darwin airport terminal building, in the old hanger, which still had bullet holes from WW2 !

 

[Mal]

Yes it is an airport, and yes it has international flights.

So an accurate description.

Is it a good airport to travel through? Not really.

 

[VHOEJ]

Is this thread about the quality of the airport or the status of it being international?

 

[RooFlyer]

I guess strictly, whether or not Darwin is accurately named, but I've never been deterred from taking liberties

 

[drross]

No, Hobart must take the gong for worst International Airport in Australia.

QP is minute; no Virgin lounge at all. Queues for security often reach 60 pax long....

HBA retains it's International designation courtesy of flights to Antarctica

I remember the old Darwin airport terminal building, in the old hanger, which still had bullet holes from WW2 !

totally agree. Much worse than Darwin

 

[Pleb Status]

PER Int may have a bigger QP but no QFi services to use it......

 

[NFF]

Is it correct that Qantas lounge at Changi is about the same size as Darwin's domestic departure area ?