There is also an update on the Philippine Airlines objection to the Manila-Tokyo leg of Jetstar's Darwin-Manila-Tokyo service which was due to commence last week.
Offshore crew pay plan saves flights
THE decision not to pay overseas air crews the same as Australians has saved some international services to the Territory, an airline said.
Qantas said the extra expense would have threatened several Jetstar routes.
Spokeswoman Olivia Wirth named Darwin as one of the destinations that would have been in danger.
Australian pilots are disappointed that the proposal to force airlines to offer overseas-based cabin crew the same pay and conditions as local staff has been rejected by a Senate inquiry.
The Senate transport committee refused to support Independent Senator Nick Xenophon's draft law.
Pilots believe the equal pay rule would have forced Australian airlines to use more Aussie staff.
But Qantas said it would only have led to marginal services being axed. Jetstar uses many overseas cabin crew on its international flights in and out of Darwin.
For instance, most staff on the Darwin-Singapore route are Singaporeans, who are paid less than the Australian minimum wage.
Jetstar is turning Darwin into a hub for its international and domestic network.
But Territory air services are still in flux.
Jetstar has axed the Darwin to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam route.
In compensation, it has linked Darwin-Manila to a Manila-Tokyo service, meaning Territorians can book straight through to Japan via the Philippines.
But the Manila-Tokyo sector has been grounded by a challenge to the air regulator by Philippine Airlines.
Australia and the Philippines have a bilateral agreement allowing an Australian airline to operate services from Manila to Japan. The first objection to this provision by Philippine Airlines was rejected.
But it has followed up by lodging an unprecedented second complaint. However, Jetstar hopes to have the service operating soon.
SilkAir began services between Darwin and Singapore on Monday.
Its aircraft include business class.