The Darwin Airport Development Group said Qatar Airways buying a quarter share of Virgin Australia would strengthen the Northern Territory’s role as an essential hub for global travel, it has been reported.
The sale, for an undisclosed amount, is pending approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Parties to the sale are the US-based Bain Capital, owner of Virgin, and Qatar Airways, which is fully owned by the Qatari government.
The NT News reported that the sale, if approved, would allow flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha based on a plane and crew lease agreement.
“This strategic partnership represents a significant development in the aviation sector and reinforces the collaborative efforts of airlines to enhance connectivity and service offerings,” an unnamed Darwin’s airport development group spokesperson was quoted as saying.
“For Darwin International Airport, this partnership has the potential to bolster its position as a key gateway for international travel and tourism.”
The group anticipated the collaboration could lead to increased flights, broader route connections and superior travel choices for travellers to and from the Territory.
“As ADG continues to promote Darwin as a premier destination for both business and leisure travellers, we believe this partnership could foster greater economic opportunities, benefiting local communities and enhancing the overall visitor experience,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
I’m not quite sure what planet the Darwin Airport Development Group are on. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re a fly-over town. Nobody wants to land here. As airliner range increases, this becomes even more true. The NT News looked more on the ball when it suggested more flights from all the major capitals, but not Darwin. It would be great if we could get more international flights coming here, but I’m not holding my breath.