The Coalition is promising a two year-trial allowing international airlines to carry domestic passengers between Darwin and the east coast. They say the proposal will reap rewards for local flyers and international trade. However, questions have been raised over the feasibility of the plan and which airlines would be willing to take part.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00With few domestic flight options, the Federal Opposition wants to open the market to overseas players.
00:08We know when you increase competition in the aviation sector, prices go down.
00:14The Coalition's latest election promise for the Territory will allow foreign airlines to fly between Darwin and the eastern capital cities.
00:21They say the two-year trial will drive down prices and result in better service for Darwinians.
00:27No more red-eye flights if you don't want to take them. We're actually going to be able to travel at hours that will suit us for business and for families.
00:35Several airlines have scrapped routes to Darwin in recent years, leaving Territoryans stranded.
00:41Historically, the route to Brisbane has been the most popular in and out of Darwin.
00:46But in the year to February, more flights went from Brisbane to Cairns, Gladstone, Emerald and Murrumba than went to Darwin.
00:55But while Territorians might be keen to jump on board with the proposal, some critics say it's unlikely that international airlines would jump at the offer.
01:03There's just not enough people in Darwin to supply a market to meet the price expectations.
01:10Now, if somebody wants to reduce the prices, the biggest cost driver is the cost of Darwin Airport and what it costs Qantas and Virgin and anyone else that uses the airport.
01:23The nation's peak body for freight transport welcomes the news, but says the trial's success depends on the fine print.
01:30Obviously the devil's in the detail. How often the flights are. Are they narrow-body or are they wide-body? So what sort of cargo can the planes take?
01:41With the election just 10 days away, the question is, will this idea fly?
01:48The answer is, would this idea?
01:49The answer is, would this approach?
01:51The question is, is the ship tonight?
01:53It's about an action.
01:54I can't be bothered with it.
01:56The purpose of the ship is about the ship tonight and thefalzor sluls, which is a great question.
01:58The ship has been Atlantic and the ship.
01:59I want to catch up in the ship.
02:00The ship's on 100% of the ship is about...
02:01...the ship's on helm.
02:03The ship gets hit the ship.
02:04It's about an engine for the ship.
02:05The ship's on a boat.
02:07The ship's on a boat.
02:08The ship has been in the ship.
02:10The ship's on a boat...
02:11The ship's on a boat.
02:12Or a boat.