Airnorth’s lifeline
DARWIN- BASED airline Airnorth will operate at least 24 return flights a week between key hubs across Northern Australia after receiving a Federal Government lifeline amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Airnorth, which like most airlines in Australia has faced a significant economic hit due to travel being reduced to a trickle, confirmed it had received a slice of the Federal Government’s $300 million stimulus package to keep regional aviation afloat.
DARWIN-BASED airline Airnorth will operate at least 24 return flights a week between key hubs across Northern Australia after receiving a Federal Government lifeline amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Airnorth, which like most airlines in Australia has faced a significant economic hit due to travel being reduced to a trickle, confirmed it had received a slice of the Federal Government’s $300 million stimulus package to keep regional aviation afloat.
How much the airline, which is wholly owned by beleaguered US company Bristow Group, has received from the Government was not disclosed.
The regional airline employs about 300 Territorians across its administration and operational capacities.
The grant will underwrite 24 weekly return services for an initial period of six weeks between Darwin and NT towns like Gove, Alice Springs, Groote Eylandt, Maningrida, Milingimbi and Elcho Island to support transport of essential workers, freight and supplies.
There will also be return flights from Darwin to Townsville and Cairns in Queensland, and Kununurra and Broome in WA.
The flying program will run from May 1 to June 12.
“This funding will allow us to provide connectivity and support to communities, residents, and businesses as Australia continues to fight and rebuild from the devastating impact of this global pandemic,” Airnorth chief executive Daniel Bowden said.
Airnorth suspended many flight routes in late March because of coronavirus and at this stage services to Toowoomba and Melbourne have not been reinstated.
Nearly 50 Territory jobs with aviation ground services Swissport remain at risk, with the company still seeking a $125 million bailout from the Federal Government and has threatened to sack 2000 of its 2500 staff if it doesn’t.
NT Airports has remained firm that its financial position is strong despite the turmoil in the aviation industry, saying it was working with each of its contractors, including Swissport, to “navigate” through the coronavirus crisis.
Swissport is owned by Chinese company HNA, which is a 20 per cent shareholder in beleaguered Virgin Australia.
Australia’s second largest airline called in administrators Deloitte this week after failing to secure a bailout from its rich foreign owners or the taxpayer.
Deloitte has since revealed Virgin Australia has debts worth an estimated $7 billion and owes $450 million to its employees.