Virgin resumes Sydney-Darwin direct flights

[Harrison_133]

Sydney-Darwin direct flights are set to resume on 22 June 2026, operating up to seven times a week in peak periods.

Service will operate until January 2027, before resuming in March.

Initial schedule :
VA1349 SYD 0740 DRW 1200 7M8* Daily
VA1350 DRW 1245 SYD 1740 7M8 Daily

*5 minutes earlier on Fridays

Source: Virgin Australia to relaunch direct Sydney-Darwin flights

 

[Mattg]

And not a redeye from DRW to SYD - nice.

I guess VA learned from their CNS-MEL experiment

 

[Saab34]

I recall the Minns government has an incentive scheme out currently for interstate new domestic routes.

 

[markis10]

And not a redeye from DRW to SYD - nice.

More likely drawing from their MEL service which was an arvo departure for a long time

 

[HS-TQE]

I recall the Minns government has an incentive scheme out currently for interstate new domestic routes.

Fairly sure the NSW Government aviation funds are international focused with specific ones for NTL and WSI as well.

 

[NamarrgonFlyer]

Great news but I assume the lounge won't reopen. I imagine SQ would like to have it reopened for their pax.

 

[Mattg]

This also opens up another way to get from Sydney to Singapore with Velocity points.

 

[clifford]

This also opens up another way to get from Sydney to Singapore with Velocity points.

Yes, but at what cost? Pass.

 

[Saab34]

Seems like it will be operated exclusively by the MAX

 

[HS-TQE]

Great news but I assume the lounge won't reopen. I imagine SQ would like to have it reopened for their pax.

Would assume that's the case. A Third Party operator such as Escape Lounges (for example) may potentially be interested in snapping up the old space in DRW.

I recall the Minns government has an incentive scheme out currently for interstate new domestic routes.

I stand corrected earlier, the NSW Govt's Take Off Fund also applies to Domestic routes

NSW Take Off Fund to Supercharge the Aviation sector and boost visitor economy

Getting on the main topic, I'd assume any further route growth/replacements out of SYD for VA in 2026 will be out of the main airport for the foreseeable. Considering the NSW Govt does have further incentives for WSI and NTL (further $8 million and matched by WSI for a total of $16 million), and VA chosing not to utilise them. Which probably further leans towards the suggestion that VA will not be at WSI on Opening Day.

New fund to turbocharge take-off for Western Sydney Airport

A new government fund will put Sydney’s second international airport on course for a successful opening by accelerating aviation capacity from day one, boosting the NSW visitor economy and creating more choice for NSW travellers.

www.nsw.gov.au