QF International via Darwin

[antycbr]

QF group just announced skeleton service to WA only until Feb, and LHR moving to either DRW or SIN out to Apr 22.

 

[jakeseven7]

QF group just announced skeleton service to WA only until Feb, and LHR moving to either DRW or SIN for the foreseeable future.

Fantastic news

 

[arrow]

Fantastic news

Can't wait to see their (and QLD) tourism industry wither on the vine. They should make the move to DRW / SIN permanent

 

[antycbr]

Can't wait to see their (and QLD) tourism industry wither on the vine. They should make the move to DRW / SIN permanent

This is an opportunity for DRW. If they can make it work with stopover packages and get people used to the idea of DRW as a scissor hub, they can really win here. They’ll only get one shot at this. Otherwise QF will just overfly them.

 

[jrfsp]

id be amazed if its DRW over SIN. i cant see NT border being any different to WA, and SIN offers another destination and 3K connections.

 

[Must...Fly!]

QF group just announced skeleton service to WA only until Feb, and LHR moving to either DRW or SIN out to Apr 22.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-and-jetstar-update-flight-schedules-as-state-plans-are-laid-out/

There is the article. One snippet I paid particular attention to;

“The key factor in determining the ongoing demand level for international flying will be what the quarantine arrangements are for Australians when they return. The seven day home quarantine trial in New South Wales is a great step forward and we’re hoping the system evolves quickly for vaccinated travellers from low-risk countries to not have to quarantine on arrival, particularly given Australia itself is on track to have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. That’s fast becoming the standard between many countries overseas.

I probably won't go anywhere until I don't have to quarantine on return, purely because I am an essential services worker and can't work from home...if I could, then I'd be on the first plane outta here.

 

[arrow]

This is an opportunity for DRW. If they can make it work with stopover packages and get people used to the idea of DRW as a scissor hub, they can really win here. They’ll only get one shot at this. Otherwise QF will just overfly them.

Totally & a perfect gateway to channel tourists in once quarantine is scrapped.

 

[antycbr]

id be amazed if its DRW over SIN. i cant see NT border being any different to WA, and SIN offers another destination and 3K connections.

Qantas is giving them the chance. If they’re too insular to take it, that’s their choice.

I expect NT will find a way to make it work but the main issue is indigenous hesitation in vaccination in remote communities

 

[jrfsp]

Qantas is giving them the chance. If they’re too insular to take it, that’s their choice.

I expect NT will find a way to make it work but the main issue is indigenous hesitation in vaccination in remote communities

regardless of borders, even from a commercial perspective i would have thought SIN would make alot more sense than DRW. The only caveat is it could well operate on a tech stop type basis.

 

[antycbr]

regardless of borders, even from a commercial perspective i would have thought SIN would make alot more sense than DRW. The only caveat is it could well operate on a tech stop type basis.

The benefit of DRW is it reduces complexity of transits for people going straight through to the UK. No malarkey with SIN covid regulations. But yes it could be done as a tech stop.

At this point lounge access is irrelevant. People will stand on the tarmac in the rain if necessary to get off prison island.

 

[justinbrett]

QF group just announced skeleton service to WA only until Feb, and LHR moving to either DRW or SIN out to Apr 22.

I don't think the EK deal is getting renewed if they haven't even mentioned DXB.

DRW is not a great spot for an international transit, no lounges (only QP DOM). You're not really going to receive the benefit of domestic connections if NT is still closed to NSW/VIC - so if it's just a fuel stop, may as well make it closer to half way for optimal fuel consumption.

It will probably come down to landing/handling fees and taxes to decide which results in a lower fare.

 

[Flashback]

It's like a step back in time reading this thread.... Seems like a distant memory in the UK now.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Darwin as the International Gateway? I foretold this back in August, 2014!

Is Darwin International Airport an accurate description?

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...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[jrfsp]

I don't think the EK deal is getting renewed if they haven't even mentioned DXB.

DRW is not a great spot for an international transit, no lounges (only QP DOM). You're not really going to receive the benefit of domestic connections if NT is still closed to NSW/VIC - so if it's just a fuel stop, may as well make it closer to half way for optimal fuel consumption.

It will probably come down to landing/handling fees and taxes to decide which results in a lower fare.

Any chance they will dump EK/DXB for QR....can only hope.

Indeed, ive heard DRW is very expensive to operate from and a bit of a nightmare operationally as RAAF takes precedence

 

[mviy]

DRW is not a great spot for an international transit, no lounges (only QP DOM). You're not really going to receive the benefit of domestic connections if NT is still closed to NSW/VIC - so if it's just a fuel stop, may as well make it closer to half way for optimal fuel consumption.

Pre-COVID I would have agreed closer to half-way is better. Now I'd consider travelling via DRW would pose less risk of disruption to travel plans than travel via a 3rd country even SIN. I may fly QF9 and QF10 to/from MEL when I next go overseas. There are obviously a range of factors including pricing and what travel restrictions are imposed on the different routes available.

The Feds or the NT government could decide to throw some money at QF/DRW to help fund some transit facilities though they would take some time to build and obviously if QF switches back to flying via PER they could prove a white elephant like the new quarantine hubs in VIC and elsewhere hopefully will be.

 

[justinbrett]

Darwin as the International Gateway? I foretold this back in August, 2014!

Is Darwin International Airport an accurate description?

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...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

View attachment 259822

When I lived in Darwin about 15 years ago there were international flights to Singapore (QF81 from Adelaide) and Mumbai (QF123 - outbound only).

Leaving from DRW is OK as you can access the QP before you go through customs, and you know you're saving yourself 8 hours round trip flying to go via a southern port.

 

[SeatBackForward]

When I lived in Darwin about 15 years ago there were international flights to Singapore (QF81 from Adelaide) and Mumbai (QF123 - outbound only).

Leaving from DRW is OK as you can access the QP before you go through customs, and you know you're saving yourself 8 hours round trip flying to go via a southern port.

DRW's proximity to Asia, and then the reduced distance to North America and Europe could make DRW an ideal International Gateway for an Australian carrier. That DRW itself isn't a big city doesn't matter if its purpose it act a a hub to collect Australian travelers from SYD/MEL/BNE/CBR/ADL and PER and then send them onward to further ports.

Getting off-topic now, but there's a reason why Anchorage is a major hub in the northern hemisphere, and I understand DRW isn't of the same calibre, but in terms of Australia the only journeys that would be better to avoid DRW would be flights to NZ, South America, or PER to the nearby Asian destinations like Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia.

 

[justinbrett]

DRW's proximity to Asia, and then the reduced distance to North America and Europe could make DRW an ideal International Gateway for an Australian carrier. That DRW itself isn't a big city doesn't matter if its purpose it act a a hub to collect Australian travelers from SYD/MEL/BNE/CBR/ADL and PER and then send them onward to further ports.

Getting off-topic now, but there's a reason why Anchorage is a major hub in the northern hemisphere, and I understand DRW isn't of the same calibre, but in terms of Australia the only journeys that would be better to avoid DRW would be flights to NZ, South America, or PER to the nearby Asian destinations like Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia.

I'm not sure ANC is considered a major PAX hub any more, those days are gone. Certainly still a freight hub.

The hub and spoke model is dead - especially now with covid. DRW is a massive detour for most long haul routes except Europe.

 

[nutwood]

I'm not sure ANC is considered a major PAX hub any more, those days are gone. Certainly still a freight hub.

The hub and spoke model is dead - especially now with covid. DRW is a massive detour for most long haul routes except Europe.

I'm not sure that Qantas has accepted this point. On the domestic routes they seem to be exhibiting a remarkable lack of flexibility in the face of the varying border restrictions. For myself in Tasmania, it was looking hopeful when they deployed the 717's Lst to Syd but in recent times they seem to have thrown the towel in.
Possibly they've figured their freight contracts pay the bills more easily than transporting humans?

 

[Pushka]

The benefit of DRW is it reduces complexity of transits for people going straight through to the UK. No malarkey with SIN covid regulations. But yes it could be done as a tech stop.

At this point lounge access is irrelevant. People will stand on the tarmac in the rain if necessary to get off prison island.

Darwin works best for SA residents who don't get direct international Qantas flights into the state if quarantine is still required.