QF shores up DRW to LHR

Qantas has finalised a deal with the NT Government to operate its direct route from Australia to London via Darwin when international flights resume next month with the reopening of Australia’s border.

The carrier flagged it was in discussions to temporarily ditch Perth for Darwin last month (TD 27 Sep), with the NT Government and Darwin Airport both agreeing to terms on the route, seeing flights operate from Melbourne (18 Dec at the latest) and Sydney (14 Nov) through Darwin.

“The Kangaroo route is one of the most iconic on the Qantas international network and we are delighted that Darwin will play a vital role in Australia’s post pandemic reopening to the world,” Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said.

“Qantas has been flying repatriation services from London to Darwin as part of the airline’s efforts to help bring Australians home over the past 12 months, so our pilots already have extensive experience operating this particular route.”

Passenger transit arrangements will happen in two stages, the first seeing transiting travellers from all Australian states, or returning from London, be able to visit the international lounge and shops at Darwin Airport.

During this phase passengers travelling from London to Sydney and Melbourne via Darwin and wanting to travel to other Australian cities may be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.

Stage two will see pax granted permission to leave the terminal and visit Darwin, providing a tourism boost for the city.

Sydney flights will depart five times a week at 6.30pm, landing in Darwin at 9.25pm, before taking off for London.