Airnorth lands in the Pilbara

Darwin-based regional airline operator Airnorth has announced it will launch two new services to Port Hedland and Karratha via Broome with the first flight scheduled for June 1.

Airnorth said the new services will provide an important link between Darwin and the Pilbara for business and leisure with a flight time of a little over three hours.

Airnorth chief executive, Simone Saunders said the initiative provides a much-needed direct link between the two resource rich locations and also to one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations, Broome.

"The route will be operated by Airnorth's new generation E170 jet, the latest of which is scheduled to arrive in May 2010," she said in a statement.

"We are launching these services to meet increasing demand following extremely positive discussions with both business and community representatives in the Pilbara, Broome and the Northern Territory".

In addition to its scheduled airline services, Airnorth operates contracted air charter services for Xstrata, Newmont, BHP Billiton, Alcan, Rio Tinto, ConocoPhillips and Woodside as well as a number of Commonwealth agencies.

Full announcement below:

Airnorth announces new services Darwin to Port Hedland and Karratha, via Broome

Today Airnorth announced the launch of two new services to Port Hedland and Karratha in Western Australia, from Darwin via Broome, continuing its expansion in the North Australian market.

The scheduled services will commence on 01 June 2010, initially twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays, providing a direct link between Karratha, Port Hedland and Broome.

These services will also provide an important link between Darwin and the Pilbara for business and leisure with a flight time of a little over three hours.

Flights will open for sale today for travel from 01 June.

"This initiative provides a much-needed direct link between these two resource rich locations and also to one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations, Broome," Ms Simone Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of Airnorth said.

"The route will be operated by Airnorth's new generation E170 jet, the latest of which is scheduled to arrive in May 2010. We are launching these services to meet increasing demand following extremely positive discussions with both business and community representatives in the Pilbara, Broome and the Northern Territory".

With population and workforce demand increasing across this area of Western Australia it is a great time to expand travel options, provide increased flexibility for business travellers and boost tourism opportunities for Broome, Darwin and the Pilbara region", Ms Saunders said.

"The new flights will also enable passengers from the region to easily connect onto Southeast Asia and East Coast destinations via Darwin."

"The non-stop flight between Port Hedland and Broome will be 55 minutes, with a departure time of 1700 on Tuesdays. The direct travel time between Karratha and Broome on Fridays will be one hour ten minutes, with a departure time of 1045, perfect for a weekend break."

Leisure airfares will start from $143* between Port Hedland and Karratha, $185* between Port Hedland and Broome and $181* from Karratha to Broome. The new services will also provide additional capacity for weekend breaks from Darwin to Broome, with a 90 minute non-stop flight.