Virgin Australia has announced it will resume direct flights between Sydney and Darwin, which were scrapped in early 2023, but not until June, and they will be suspended again in January 2027 before beginning again in March that year, in what the airline said was a seasonal operation to “align with market demand”.

Airline executive Alistair Hartley, who has the grand title of chief strategy and transformation officer, said flights would begin on June 22, with “up to” seven return flights each week in “peak” travel periods, and four flights a week in “non-peak” periods, but he did not define what these periods were.

He said the daytime flights will operate seasonally through to January 10, 2027, and restart again in March 2027, to “align with market demand”.

The company said it ended direct Sydney–Darwin flights in early 2023 following a review.

“Our return to the route will enhance travel options for passengers, drive competition, and reinforce the vital connections between metropolitan centres and regional Australia, with Darwin serving as a key gateway. It will also provide greater flexibility for corporate travellers moving between the two cities,” the chief strategy and transformation officer said.

In January, Virgin Australia announced it was axing direct flights between Darwin and Adelaide which were set to return on June 22.

Last year, Virgin faced allegations of price gouging for Territory airfares but cited anticipated increases in landing fees at Darwin Airport as the reason.

Major airlines attribute their higher fare prices to the Territory’s low population, geographical isolation, and varying tourist seasons.

Business Minister Robyn Cahill said Virgin was not given money under the Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme, which offers $10 million in government money to local airports, which must be matched dollar-for-dollar, to aid in attracting additional flights into the NT.