Jetstar looks to pull Singa link | News | NT News | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | ntnews.com.au
Jetstar looks to pull Singa link
NT NEWS February 6th, 2012
DARWIN could lose a vital international air service, delivering another blow to the Territory's tourism industry.
Qantas-owned Jetstar is threatening to scrap its daily service between Singapore and Cairns, via Darwin, if legislation proposed by Independent South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon goes ahead.
The airline says the changes which would force it to pay foreign crews the same rates as Australian staff would make the route unviable.
The call comes after the Territory experienced massive drops in the number of international visitors.
Parks Australia statistics, released last month, showed visitor numbers to Uluru and Kakadu have decreased by about nine per cent in 2011.
The popular tourist attraction Uluru was visited by about 273,000 people and about 160,000 travelled to Kakadu.
Your Say
"Because our chief minister - if you can call him that - gives our tax payers money to the wrong airlines to operate from here. Notwithstanding, the disgraceful standard of service the visitors receive when they arrive. Well, in fact, there is no service. I have operated in the city centre for over 15 years and see or rather not see it everyday!"
Laser Beam
The Territory Government has poured millions into preserving and promoting the famous wilderness destinations.
Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage listed area that has been listed for its cultural and natural heritage and Kakadu is the largest terrestrial national park in Australia.
NT Tourism figures show the number of international visitors to the NT reached its lowest point in 10 years last year, contrary to the national trend.
Only 302,000 visitors came to the NT for the financial year 2010-11.
This was down 6.4 per cent from 323,000 during the previous financial year.
The Senate is holding a joint inquiry today into the legislation proposed by Senator Xenophon and supported by the Greens.
Qantas is to give evidence to the inquiry.
The airline said in a statement: "If the intent of the proposed amendments is to protect Australian jobs and encourage investment in the Australian economy, they fail."