Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And in some good news, we know that another new
(00:02):
flight service has been announced for the Northern Territory, with
Air Asia Malaysia launching direct flights between Darwin and Kuala Lumpa.
The first flight is scheduled for June twenty seven, with
four weekly return services on the airline's Airbus A three
two one aircraft. Now it is the fourth new direct
route announced for the Northern Territory since the start of
(00:24):
the year. And joining me on the line is the
Airport Development Group's Executive General Manager of Airports, Rob Porter.
Good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Rob, Good morning Taty.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
How are you, yeah, really good, Thank you so much
for your time this morning. Rob. How many seats is
this new route going to create?
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Oh, look, I think that the seats are going to
be absolutely amazing, somewhere between sixty thousand seas to be
available for Northern Territorians and more importantly Malaysians to come
down and visit the territory. So just like it's just fantastic.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Tell us a bit more about what days the service
is going to operate and that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yeah, we are for for services a week, so Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
and I think it's a Friday. But check of the
website and when you're in the website you'll see what
an amazing deal it's on offer for those that get
in early. So I think you can get to KL
for about one hundred and eighty nine bucks, which is
just fantom.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
That is good, it's good going, and it's like Rob,
it's just good to see that there's finally some more
flights for us in the Northern Territory and at an
affordable price. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Look, you know we've been on about this little while
now and you know we've seen the Corners Group respond
with some domestic seats. You know, we now we've now
got a service to the Gold Coast coming and we're seeing,
you know, now friends down there at our springs also
get some connectivity. And I think that, yeah, look it's time.
You know, we've been in been in a sleep and
(01:50):
now we're all awake and now we're ready to get
stuck into some travel.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Yeah, we're all ready to go. And it is a
boost in regards to that connectivity between the Northern Territory
and Asia. I mean, what kind of opportunities do you
think that creates for travelers?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
So I think the key here is is that you know,
we can get over to kail Lampa and Kia Lump
is an amazing city and got some amazing sites. And
if you're a golfer, they've got some amazing golf course.
If you're a shop over, there's some amazing shopping over
there as well. But for those that are looking to
travel onward, and you know, we do know the northern territory.
You know people here who want to explore, and so
(02:26):
when you get to Ko, then you can link to Thailand,
you can get to Vietnam, you can certainly get to
Hong Kong, Slanka, Philippines, India and Japan. Like I think
there's one hundred and thirty destinations that the Air Asia serve.
So you know, they're just an amazing, amazing partner.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
I mean when you look at that and you look
at the fact that they are recognized as being one
of the world's best sort of low cost airlines, what
can we take from their decision then to invest in
the Darwin market.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yeah, they've got some confidence in us, and I think
you know, what we're seeing with the tourism industry here
is far more collaboration, far more working together and as
a result of that, we're able to come as a
as a combined unit and put a proposal in front
of in front of the airlines. Look, air Asia, sorry,
air Asia is a fun airline and we love to
(03:14):
have fun here in the territory. So you know, it's
been a great partnership with the team up there in
kal Is there?
Speaker 1 (03:22):
I mean, is there sort of any further announcements Do
you think I'm not expecting you to tell us anything
that you're not supposed to, but do you anticipate that
there could be sort of further expansions on the cards
for Air Asia in the Northern Territory following this.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Look, I think I think we've got some great services
with Air Asia, right, so we've got we've got connectivity
with Dempasarro Bali now and that that first flight arrives
on the weekend will bed down the quite a lump
of service. But they're a great partner. So you know,
I was talking to the team this morning and their
view is never saying ever, the most important thing is
(03:57):
that we show our faith in Air Asia and we
book seats and we go over and explore. We love Deempantsar,
we love Bali, but you take the time to expre
explore kl as well. What's really cool, what's really cool Cay, sorry, mate,
is that they're really keen to explore the territory as well.
So Malaysians. You know, the proof will be when we're
(04:19):
seeing Malaysians in Kakadu and wandering through Kuinda and heading
down to the Rock and spending some time in ours.
So yeah, let's get all that in place in the
airlines will follow us.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
Yeah, I hope, so, I hope that it does. Mean
we see sort of a bit of a boost to
tourism for us here in the Northern Territory, Rob in
terms of the support that the Airport Development Group has
had to sort of provide or has there been further
support that you have had to provide in an effort
to secure this new service or the other new services
(04:51):
that have come online.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
So we you know, we work with the Northern Territory
Government through the Aviation Attraction Scheme and that's both of
us put you know, putting all our put our goods
on the table and seeing a combined off of what
that looks like. And you know what's clear from the
Airport Development Group is we're keen to invest We see
this contribution to the Northern Territory economy in terms of
(05:15):
incentivizing airlines to come here as an investment in the territory.
We've got a great compelling reason for people to come
and visit us. And that's why you know, we, as
in conjunction with the Northern Territory Government, see these investments
as good solid investment decisions.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
And with some of those new direct routes that have
been announced, I have how many of those have sort
of commenced and how are they going at this point.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yes, so early sales you Balley starts on the weekend
and Erasia starts to a quite a lumper in June,
so we've seen some good signs in terms of those
early ticket sales. We've seen the hours services do really well.
So Cans and Kansas has not yet started, so that's
in a few weeks. The per services doing really well.
(06:01):
So look, I think very early days, but we're seeing
people respond in booking, booking their seats, and I encourage
you all to take a holiday or book a seat.
It'll be it'll be the way that we hang onto
these airlines.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
So Rob just a listener question. Someone's called in and
said when the Air Asia KL flights, when are they like,
when they're available? She says she can't find them at
the moment. Can people start booking?
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Yes, yeah, so I'll follow that up with you, Katie,
because I've really just announced at eight o'clock this morning,
so just getting our stuff together, but it won't be
too long before you be able to jump on to
to find your flights.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
To KA good good stuff. Well, Rob Porter, lovely to
catch up with you this morning, mate, Thanks so much
for your time.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
No thanks again, Katie, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
You two
And in some good news, we know that another new
(00:02):
flight service has been announced for the Northern Territory, with
Air Asia Malaysia launching direct flights between Darwin and Kuala Lumpa.
The first flight is scheduled for June twenty seven, with
four weekly return services on the airline's Airbus A three
two one aircraft. Now it is the fourth new direct
route announced for the Northern Territory since the start of
(00:24):
the year. And joining me on the line is the
Airport Development Group's Executive General Manager of Airports, Rob Porter.
Good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Rob, Good morning Taty.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
How are you, yeah, really good, Thank you so much
for your time this morning. Rob. How many seats is
this new route going to create?
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Oh, look, I think that the seats are going to
be absolutely amazing, somewhere between sixty thousand seas to be
available for Northern Territorians and more importantly Malaysians to come
down and visit the territory. So just like it's just fantastic.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Tell us a bit more about what days the service
is going to operate and that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yeah, we are for for services a week, so Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
and I think it's a Friday. But check of the
website and when you're in the website you'll see what
an amazing deal it's on offer for those that get
in early. So I think you can get to KL
for about one hundred and eighty nine bucks, which is
just fantom.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
That is good, it's good going, and it's like Rob,
it's just good to see that there's finally some more
flights for us in the Northern Territory and at an
affordable price. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Look, you know we've been on about this little while
now and you know we've seen the Corners Group respond
with some domestic seats. You know, we now we've now
got a service to the Gold Coast coming and we're seeing,
you know, now friends down there at our springs also
get some connectivity. And I think that, yeah, look it's time.
You know, we've been in been in a sleep and
(01:50):
now we're all awake and now we're ready to get
stuck into some travel.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Yeah, we're all ready to go. And it is a
boost in regards to that connectivity between the Northern Territory
and Asia. I mean, what kind of opportunities do you
think that creates for travelers?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
So I think the key here is is that you know,
we can get over to kail Lampa and Kia Lump
is an amazing city and got some amazing sites. And
if you're a golfer, they've got some amazing golf course.
If you're a shop over, there's some amazing shopping over
there as well. But for those that are looking to
travel onward, and you know, we do know the northern territory.
You know people here who want to explore, and so
(02:26):
when you get to Ko, then you can link to Thailand,
you can get to Vietnam, you can certainly get to
Hong Kong, Slanka, Philippines, India and Japan. Like I think
there's one hundred and thirty destinations that the Air Asia serve.
So you know, they're just an amazing, amazing partner.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
I mean when you look at that and you look
at the fact that they are recognized as being one
of the world's best sort of low cost airlines, what
can we take from their decision then to invest in
the Darwin market.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yeah, they've got some confidence in us, and I think
you know, what we're seeing with the tourism industry here
is far more collaboration, far more working together and as
a result of that, we're able to come as a
as a combined unit and put a proposal in front
of in front of the airlines. Look, air Asia, sorry,
air Asia is a fun airline and we love to
(03:14):
have fun here in the territory. So you know, it's
been a great partnership with the team up there in
kal Is there?
Speaker 1 (03:22):
I mean, is there sort of any further announcements Do
you think I'm not expecting you to tell us anything
that you're not supposed to, but do you anticipate that
there could be sort of further expansions on the cards
for Air Asia in the Northern Territory following this.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Look, I think I think we've got some great services
with Air Asia, right, so we've got we've got connectivity
with Dempasarro Bali now and that that first flight arrives
on the weekend will bed down the quite a lump
of service. But they're a great partner. So you know,
I was talking to the team this morning and their
view is never saying ever, the most important thing is
(03:57):
that we show our faith in Air Asia and we
book seats and we go over and explore. We love Deempantsar,
we love Bali, but you take the time to expre
explore kl as well. What's really cool, what's really cool Cay, sorry, mate,
is that they're really keen to explore the territory as well.
So Malaysians. You know, the proof will be when we're
(04:19):
seeing Malaysians in Kakadu and wandering through Kuinda and heading
down to the Rock and spending some time in ours.
So yeah, let's get all that in place in the
airlines will follow us.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
Yeah, I hope, so, I hope that it does. Mean
we see sort of a bit of a boost to
tourism for us here in the Northern Territory, Rob in
terms of the support that the Airport Development Group has
had to sort of provide or has there been further
support that you have had to provide in an effort
to secure this new service or the other new services
(04:51):
that have come online.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
So we you know, we work with the Northern Territory
Government through the Aviation Attraction Scheme and that's both of
us put you know, putting all our put our goods
on the table and seeing a combined off of what
that looks like. And you know what's clear from the
Airport Development Group is we're keen to invest We see
this contribution to the Northern Territory economy in terms of
(05:15):
incentivizing airlines to come here as an investment in the territory.
We've got a great compelling reason for people to come
and visit us. And that's why you know, we, as
in conjunction with the Northern Territory Government, see these investments
as good solid investment decisions.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
And with some of those new direct routes that have
been announced, I have how many of those have sort
of commenced and how are they going at this point.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yes, so early sales you Balley starts on the weekend
and Erasia starts to a quite a lumper in June,
so we've seen some good signs in terms of those
early ticket sales. We've seen the hours services do really well.
So Cans and Kansas has not yet started, so that's
in a few weeks. The per services doing really well.
(06:01):
So look, I think very early days, but we're seeing
people respond in booking, booking their seats, and I encourage
you all to take a holiday or book a seat.
It'll be it'll be the way that we hang onto
these airlines.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
So Rob just a listener question. Someone's called in and
said when the Air Asia KL flights, when are they like,
when they're available? She says she can't find them at
the moment. Can people start booking?
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Yes, yeah, so I'll follow that up with you, Katie,
because I've really just announced at eight o'clock this morning,
so just getting our stuff together, but it won't be
too long before you be able to jump on to
to find your flights.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
To KA good good stuff. Well, Rob Porter, lovely to
catch up with you this morning, mate, Thanks so much
for your time.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
No thanks again, Katie, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
You two
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