Malaysia Airlines axes Darwin direct Service
Gary Shipway
NT News | 19 June 2017
MALAYSIA Airlines has cancelled its direct flights to and from Darwin, dealing a blow to Territory tourism.
The shock announcement has caught travellers, travel agents and the Territory Government off guard.
As recently as the weekend, Darwin travel agents were still taking bookings for the Darwin to Kuala Lumpur service.
Agents contacted by the NT News said they had been told Monday morning that Malaysia Airlines would be making an announcement about the Darwin to Kuala Lumpur service within 24 hours.
Confusion surrounds when exactly the service will finish. Malaysia Airlines told the NT News that the direct service between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur had been cancelled effective immediately. However online schedules showed the last service as July 27.
Travellers who have paid for flights from Darwin are being told that their flights are now departing from Singapore.
Several angry travellers who contacted the NT News said they had been told their tickets would not be refunded, meaning they would have to pay the cost of flights from Darwin to Singapore to use their Malaysian Airlines tickets.
NT Tourism Minister Lauren Moss said that while it had not been formally announced, it was understood Malaysia Airlines would end its Kuala Lumpur to Darwin service on July 28.
“This news is extremely disappointing but one that has ultimately been made for commercial reasons,” Ms Moss said.
“The Territory Government has worked with NT Airports and Tourism Australia to support this service, including offering cooperative marketing opportunities and meeting with airline representatives in Kuala Lumpur as recently as this month.
“We understand services from a number of locations are being pulled, not just the Territory.
“We will continue to explore opportunities with Malaysia Airlines into the future, including possible seasonal flights.”
Ms Moss said she would continue to work to secure direct flights from China.