Interestingly the first flight will include 7 Indonesian journalists who will spend five days touring the Top End to report back and hopefully promote Darwin to their Indonesia audience. The International News Magazine article below provides mare details.
Airasia are also offering extra special fares for the next week with Darwin - Denpasar from $109 and the return only $36.
Darwin 1 July 2013. Darwin’s airline services will be boosted tonight when AirAsia touches down at Darwin Airport, resuming its Bali to Darwin service. Chief Minister Adam Giles said the return of AirAsia showed great confidence in the Territory economy.
“The Country Liberals Government is driving the development of Northern Australia and key to this is positioning Darwin as a key international aviation hub,” Mr Giles said.
“The Territory Government and Darwin Airport have worked together to encourage the resumption of AirAsia’s Bali to Darwin service. These flights will provide a combined total of 1,500 additional seats to and from Darwin every week, and strengthen our ties in the region by improving access to Indonesia, one of our vital trading partners.
“Engaging with our Asian neighbours to help build a bigger Territory economy is a key initiative of this Government and the return of AirAsia to Darwin will ensure we are well connected to the region.”
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Matt Conlan said the return of AirAsia would further position Darwin as a gateway into Australia for the growing South East Asian holiday market.
“Darwin is an important gateway to and from Australia and this new service will cement that link and help grow tourism opportunities for the whole Territory,’’ Mr Conlan said.
“Tourism NT, in conjunction with Tourism Australia and AirAsia, will investigate marketing opportunities to grow holiday visitation from key economic hubs such as the Indonesian city of Jakarta and other cities that the Air Asia network services.
“We’ll be capitalising on this opportunity to increase international visitation to the Territory.”
To coincide with the commencement of the AirAsia service, seven Jakarta and Bali-based journalists and media professionals will be on board the flight to Darwin tonight and spend five days in Darwin reporting on tourism in the Top End.
The journalists are from Indonesia’s leading English language newspaper, The Jakarta Post, National newspaper Kompas, Indonesia’s first 24-hour news channel, Metro TV, as well as The Bali Times and Magazine Bali Plus.
The first AirAsia flight will arrive in Darwin at 6:55pm. The service will be operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft and will run four times a week, supplementing the existing Jetstar services from Darwin to Bali.