Airline shows it means business
NIGEL ADLAM | March 27th, 2012
BUSINESS people and tourists who like to travel in comfort greeted the new kid on the airport apron with a warm but wet Territory g'day.
SilkAir's first flight between Singapore and Darwin was greeted by a traditional water canon welcome.
The four-times-a-week service will have Business Class as well as Economy.
Unlike budget airlines, SilkAir will offer free in-flight meals and entertainment, checked luggage in the ticket price and "seamless" connections to final destinations.
NT Airports boss Ian Kew hinted that winning the new service had been tough.
"The Northern Territory Government and my team have been working hard for many years to secure an international full service carrier for Territorians," he said.
Darwin Convention Centre manager Malu Barrios said the SilkAir service would make the Territory more attractive to international conferences.
Flights from Singapore to Darwin depart at 7.40pm and arrive Darwin at 1.50am.
The schedule allows for connections from London and Frankfurt, the Territory's top two largest European markets, and major cities in Asia.
The flight from Darwin to Singapore leaves at 2.35am and arrives in Singapore at 5.30am.
Mr Kew said this meant Australians could be sitting on a beach in Koh Samui, Phuket, or Langkawi before midday.
He said the schedule could have business travellers in Japan, Hong Kong or China by mid-afternoon or connect to London flights with a "civilised" 3:30pm arrival on the same day of departure.
SilkAir flies to 39 destinations in 12 countries, but Darwin is its only Australian route.
The airline shares frequent flyer points with Virgin.