One new airline is set touch down in Alice Springs while another expands its network as the Northern Territory’s Aviation Attraction Scheme takes full flight.
Australia’s newest budget airline, Bonza, will land in Alice Springs for the first time today providing Territorians with more choice and more competitive fares when planning their next trip to Melbourne.
The Territory Government is also announcing today, that Airnorth will provide their first ever route from Alice Springs to Perth.
Commencing on 25 March 2024, just in time for Easter and school holidays, the flight will operate three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with tickets going online from today.
It is the first time since June 2022 that Alice Springs will be connected with a non-stop air service to Perth – previously operated by Qantas.
Today’s announcements are a direct result of the recently launched Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme; which was specifically designed to improve aviation access and connectivity to the Northern Territory.
Bonza’s everyday low fares make it more affordable for residents to travel to Melbourne and connect to the East Coast and improve access for tourists wanting to visit the Red Centre.
Airnorth’s competitive prices to Perth not only provide another option west, they also leverage Perth’s role as is a key gateway to the rest of the world with over 1.3 million international travellers since July this year.
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister, Natasha Fyles:
“Accessible and affordable air services is a key priority for the Territory Labor Government.
“Residents of Alice Springs now have more affordable flight options. We’re working closely with airlines and airports to ensure Territorians are getting a fair deal, and today we’re going further.
“The best way to make sure airlines do the right thing by Territorians is to increase competition in the Territory.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Joel Bowden:
“Today is an exciting day for Territorians, growing up in Alice I know how important connectivity and affordability is for those wanting to see loved ones.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bonza to Alice Springs and we are equally as thrilled to announce a new route direct to Perth by Airnorth.
“This significant development for the people of Alice Springs was only made possible through our recently launched Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme, which strongly underpins the Government’s commitment to accessible and affordable air services.
“But our work is not done just yet, improving accessibility, affordability and choice of aviation services to and from the Northern Territory is a priority of the Territory Government, and there is more to come”.
Quotes attributable to Airnorth CEO, Daniel Bowden:
“Celebrating over 45 years in aviation, and proud to be the Territory’s home-grown airline, Airnorth is delighted to continue expanding its network from Northern Territory destinations from Western Australia.
“Airnorth has been connecting customers from Perth to Kununurra and then onto Darwin since 2007 with flights operating each Tuesday and Thursday. The announcement of this new services that operates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between Perth and Alice Springs also marks Airnorth as the only carrier to provided non-stop flights that offers travellers an extra 23,000 seats over the next 12 months.”
Quotes attributable to Bonza CEO, Tim Jordan:
“The Northern Territory Government’s Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme was critical in attracting Bonza to the NT.
“By focusing on unserved and underserved markets we are connecting Melburnians to parts of Australia they may not have explored before and today we are humbled to add Alice Springs to that mix.
“Adding the Red Centre to our map means we are taking another giant leap in our mission to make air travel accessible to the many, not the few. Melburnians and Territorians can discover all the contrasting wonders both cities have to offer as well as significantly boosting their respective tourism economies.”
Quotes attributable to Airport Development Group CEO, Tony Edmondstone:
“Together with the support of the Northern Territory Government’s Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme (TAAS), we are happy to have secured more services to Alice Springs and reconnect central Australia to the west coast for the first time in many years.
“We are pleased to welcome Airnorth to the red centre as it grows its services across the Territory and the west.
“Airport Development Group has a long-term vision for the Territory tourism industry and this is another significant step forward in pushing Central Australia forward as a key destination for travellers.
“We are very excited and confident about the future of the Territory and these new services will help to create positive flow on effects for the whole economy, improving access and liveability for all Territorians.”
Northern Territory Government
