What’s On The Horizon For: Darwin International Airport

Attending Routes World 2024 in Bahrain, Darwin International Airport (DRW) discussed its collaboration with key stakeholders and plans for international growth.

Located in Australia’s northernmost capital city, Darwin International Airport (DRW) handled more than 1.8 million passengers in 2023, reaching 87% of its pre-pandemic traffic. Operating 24/7 the airport acts as a gateway to the Northern Territory, connecting to 20 destinations across Australia and Asia.

Recently, the airport welcomed new airline Nexus, which commenced daily services to Kununurra in the Kimberley region of Australia. Additionally, Qantas is set to resume its Singapore route starting in March 2025—a market that is currently served by Singapore Airlines.

The addition of more international service by Qantas aligns with DRW’s growth strategy, as the airport nears completion of major runway upgrades. The enhanced 3.3-km (2-mi.) runway will accommodate both wide and narrowbody aircraft, with a strong emphasis on recovering and expanding international seat capacity.

Allan Woo, head of aviation development at DRW, highlighted to Routes the significant opportunities for international carriers to tap into profitable unserved routes. He said that pre-pandemic data indicates that many passengers flying to Singapore were connecting to onward destinations, including Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok.

Woo also emphasized DRW's strong collaboration with the government and key stakeholders to attract new routes. In 2023, the Northern Territory Government launched an aviation attraction scheme aimed at enticing new airlines and offering customers lower fares. Initially funded at A$20 million ($13.4 million), additional funding has since been allocated to support the initiative. DRW collaborates with tourism authorities, accommodation providers, and travel agents to create tailored packages that promote travel to and from regional destinations.

During Routes World 2024, DRW engaged with more than a dozen airlines and utilized its Routes 360 membership to enhance its outreach prior to the event. Woo said: “We’ve been taking advantage of Routes 360 firstly to investigate and better understand our potential airline partners but also to engage with the airlines through our company profile and email campaigns.”