ANSETT Australia is increasing the number of its services into and out of Darwin in response to growing demand for travel to the Northern Territory capital.
As of 2 August, the airline will introduce a new weekday service from Perth to Darwin via Broome in addition to the existing two services a day between the two cities.
The new flight will operate weekdays, departing Perth at 12:30pm and returning ex-Darwin at 9:30pm.
Ansett Australia state manager (WA and NT) Chris Barnes said Darwin and Perth are major players in the oil and gas industry with tourism playing an increasingly important role.
“The resources companies and contractors operating in the oil and gas industries have special needs and we are continually looking at ways to improve our service to these clients,” Mr Barnes.
A dedicated check-in and a helicopter briefing room has been established at Darwin airport for Woodside Energy, providing seamless travel from fixed wing bookings to helicopter transfers to offshore facilities.
Nippon Oil will receive similar arrangements and special travel services have been provided to BHP Petroleum.
Ansett Australia plans to boost flight frequency by 13 per cent with the re-design of service delivery in the Kimberley region and the NT through a new schedule and the use of Airnorth to provide 30 services per week on Ansett’s behalf.