JQ to build new airport in Darwin

[Dog One]

Just browsing through the electronic copies of the NT News and found this article published earlier this week.
Apparently, DIA Airport want JQ to finance the new terminal extensions by charging them $2.50 passenger tax. JQ only wants to pay $1.25. The Federal Goverment were asked for $13 million to help finance the extension, but Ruddy declined.

So now JQ are looking at establishing a new aerodrome, or alternatively building a Budget terminal, like the one Tiger uses in Singapore. Seeing MKT is a little short for A320's, and Batchelor is a bit out of town, one would wonder where they would go. Perhaps the budget terminal might be a tent in the car park?

[compressor stall]

I seem to remember a comment along the lines of "land is cheap" from JQ management. The land might be but the royalties to the TOs won't be!!

In any case, it's all classic bluff and posturing to the media.

[3 Holer]

JQ are looking at establishing a new aerodrome

The only man who could have achieved something like that would have been Reg Ansett.

Unfortunately, there are no aviation managers/CEOs around these days with his entrepreneurial skill or balls to pull it off!

[Prado]

Slow news day, no croc attacks, so NT news had to report on JQ? :p

[Mr. Hat]

Something's a little out of whack here?

Yep - the government cashing in on every last dollar Owen. Every penny.

[The Voice]

If memory serves me correctly - there was chat years ago about a 2nd field out at Gunn Point (which for those not familiar would be like Avalon to Tulla) - likening that to where the (not so new) rail head is - it would further show the ineptitude of the government to properly plan anything!

DIA really do need to get their act together if they want to play in the big leagues ..

[RENURPP]

And how would the RAAF handle that?

At present a crossing runway, perfect weather 90% of the time and no terrain, little traffic and its a **** fight. Place a runway at Gunn point and we may as well catch a bus, and not the type that keeps falling out of the sky.

[airtags]

Reality check - these kind of negotiations happen all the time and not just in aviation. I seem to recall JQ having a similar moment with BNE.

Important facts though -
1. the JQ balance sheet would not build it, it would be via alt financing mechanisms leveraged by QF
2. it's a silly position anyway given;
a) the week prior AJ again spruiked about the QF Group's $3b cash reserve (although such references carefully avoided while communicating the need for staff cut backs)
b) then cries that a poor struggling budget airline cannot afford to charge and then pay a higher per pax fee (revenue neutral anyway)
c) then as the sandpit tanty, proffer a BS posiition that JQ will build it's own airport if DRW does not haggle on the charge.

The two brand strategy certainly needs a "two hat" protocol and the NT Times (in the absence of sometime to actually ask questions rather re-typing the JQ stmt) should have ran with the game hunting croc story.

AT :E

[Stationair8]

It would really upset Darwin International if Jetstar decide to use Tindall instead.

[Dog One]

Perhaps JQ are in league with the whinging greens and real estate developers who want the present airport moved far far away, so that the noisy military and civil flights don't disturb their tranqil minds. The real estate developers can see a lot of money generated from selling off the land!

[Darwinism]

"And how would the RAAF handle that?

At present a crossing runway, perfect weather 90% of the time and no terrain, little traffic and its a **** fight. Place a runway at Gunn point and we may as well catch a bus, and not the type that keeps falling out of the sky".

Ah Renurpp, yet another way to allow you to hijack a thread and turn it into an "I hate Darwin ATC" one instead - what a dream start to your Sunday :ugh:

[Goat Whisperer]

Could they avoid DIA's fees by building their own terminal but using the common (RAAF) runway?

The bit of the airport that DIA control is not all that huge really.

Waste of a good golf course.

[Stationair8]

If the RAAF ATC had been in charge in February 1942, they would have told the Japanese armada clearance not available wait octa expect a delay etc. Eventually the Japanese pilots would have gone back to the aircraft carriers to refuel.

[Maxweight]

Hahahaha :D That was funny :D

[NZScion]

It wouldn't surprise me if we see "Darwin (Tindal)" flights marketed à la Ryanair...