Airnorth opens up North Queensland for Territorians

Airnorth announced today the expansion of its Queensland network with the commencement of direct Jet services between Darwin and Townsville from 17 February, 2012.

This new route opens up North Queensland for Territory residents with twice weekly, flights to Townsville every Monday and Friday.

Offering more options for business travellers, Airnorth’s new service provides easy and convenient flight connections from Townsville to Mackay and other North Queensland business centres including Rockhampton and Gladstone.

“We are providing timely and direct services for the first time for key market segments including Australian Defence Force, Marine, Construction, Mining and Resources, Education personnel and of course tourism,” said Airnorth CEO, Simone Saunders.

This new service offers a wide range of holiday options for Territorians to visit the idyllic paradise of Magnetic Island, see the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, walk through ancient rainforests or even join an outback cattle drive.

“With population growth and business activity increasing in both the NT and across North Queensland it is the ideal time to expand travel options and provide increased flexibility for business travellers and boost both inbound and outbound tourism opportunities,” Ms Saunders said.

“Airnorth is very pleased to welcome Qantas as a code share partner on these services and this will provide greater connectivity and booking flexibility for all our passengers,” Ms Saunders said.

Airnorth passengers will also be able to earn and redeem Qantas frequent flyer points on their Townsville flights.

Internet fares are on sale now at www.airnorth.com.au and start from $241*per person one-way, Darwin to Townsville. Bookings can be made by contacting Airnorth’s reservations team on 1800 627 474,
through your local travel agent or with Qantas who will code share on Airnorth’s new service.

Schedule [all in local times]

Monday & Friday – from 17 February 2012

TL182   Depart Darwin 07:00    Arrive Townsville 10:05
TL183   Depart Townsville 11:05    Arrive Darwin 13:20

* Fare quoted is for online bookings only, subject to availability at time of booking, for one‐way travel per person and includes all taxes. Credit card surcharges apply. Fares are correct as at 15/11/11 and are subject to change.

ends.

For more information contact:
Tammy Baczynski
Marketing & Communications Manager
Ph: +61 8 8920 4058
tammy.baczynski@airnorth.com.au

Company background

Headquartered in Darwin, Airnorth is now the major airline based in Northern Australia and carries in excess of 250,000 passengers annually.

Airnorth is a full service carrier accommodating the needs of both business and leisure travellers, operating state- of-art regional jets thought its interstate network and providing passengers with complimentary catering and free baggage allowance.

The airline operates over 185 departures weekly, serving 16 destinations in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland and Timor-Leste including:

All Airnorth passengers can earn and redeem Qantas Frequent Flyer points on eligible fares on all Airnorth services.

Airnorth, through its partnership with Qantas Airways, offer seamless connectivity including through check in and interline baggage facilities, with Qantas code sharing on the majority of Airnorth’s Jet services.

In addition to scheduled departures, Airnorth operates contract and ad-hoc charter services for a wide variety of companies undertaking mining, defence and government activity.

Airnorth directly employs more than 200 staff in Darwin and provides indirect employment through the contracting of ground service operations across its destinations.

Airnorth was recently awarded as the 2011 NT Exporter of the Year as well as receiving the Large Services Award at the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister’s Export and Industry Awards that recognise the important

contribution that NT businesses make to the local economy through job creation and increased prosperity in the community. As the NT winner Airnorth will now be entered into the Prime Minister’s Exporter of the Year Awards in Brisbane in December.