Qantas launches direct flights to East Timor (Dili)

[jakeseven7]

QANTAS LAUNCHES DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM DARWIN TO DILI

Qantas has launched a direct fortnightly flight between Darwin and Dili after being awarded the contract from the Federal Government.

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www.ntnews.com.au

 

[henrus]

Ironically at the moment, these are the cheapest flights to Australia from a non-safe zone country. $224 from Dili to Darwin. A shame that you can't transit Somewhere-DIL-DRW

I don't think QF operating this route will last post-pandemic but given Air North have limited interest in operating this route right now, it makes sense for the federal gov to underwrite it for the time being. Previously Air North (a Qantas codeshare partner operating E170's) operated the Darwin to Dili route however since the pandemic hit they've only operated it in the DRW-DIL direction with the DIL-DRW route empty meaning the crew doesn't come into contact with anyone and don't have to quarantine.

 

[SJF211]

Have noticed this recently and wondered why it was running. Certainly not what I expected but nice to see at the same time. For those wondering how this route is operated the morning Brisbane flight (QF824) leaves about 2 and a half hours earlier at 0600 arriving into Darwin at 0940. It then continues to Dili as QF169 at 1040 arriving into Dili at 1130 before returning 3 hours later. Then waits over night and is ferried to Sydney as QF6100. There is no return Brisbane flight (QF825) that day.

 

[henrus]

For those wondering how this route is operated the morning Brisbane flight (QF824) leaves about 2 and a half hours earlier at 0600 arriving into Darwin at 0940. It then continues to Dili as QF169 at 1040 arriving into Dili at 1130 before returning 3 hours later. Then waits over night and is ferried to Sydney as QF6100

I wonder how this is crewed?

Obviously, the same crew operates DRW-DIL-DRW-SYD but is this the same crew as the earlier BNE-DRW or is there a crew ready in Darwin to operate this? Obviously whoever operates the DIL-DRW can't operate/catch any domestic/trans tasman flights for 14 days. Are the 737 pilots/cabin crew able to operate 787 flights otherwise this just seems like a waste of a 737 crew each fortnight? I get the 737 fleet is stretched (compared to the 787's) but perhaps flights like SIN-DRW would make more sense for some of these reparation flights allowing links into the SQ network?

 

[nancypants]

I wonder how this is crewed?

Obviously, the same crew operates DRW-DIL-DRW-SYD but is this the same crew as the earlier BNE-DRW or is there a crew ready in Darwin to operate this? Obviously whoever operates the DIL-DRW can't operate/catch any domestic/trans tasman flights for 14 days. Are the 737 pilots/cabin crew able to operate 787 flights otherwise this just seems like a waste of a 737 crew each fortnight? I get the 737 fleet is stretched (compared to the 787's) but perhaps flights like SIN-DRW would make more sense for some of these reparation flights allowing links into the SQ network?

Can dili take the 787? As they seem to be sat at DRW for a sustained period between repatriation flights, even accounting for deep cleaning etc

 

[justinbrett]

Can dili take the 787? As they seem to be sat at DRW for a sustained period between repatriation flights, even accounting for deep cleaning etc

Nope. The runway is a tiny 5900FT. That’s barely enough for the 737.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

An all Y B717 could do it then, eh?

 

[Mattg]

Looks like Airnorth has now returned to the DRW-DIL route with one E170 flight per week on Wednesdays.

 

[jakeseven7]

Qantas moving this to a permanent commercial route now, up from 1 per week to 5 x weekly soon.

--------------

QANTASLINK REVEALS NEW INTERNATIONAL ROUTE​

QantasLink is set to begin regular international hops to Timor-Leste on its Embraer E190s.

Qantas has been operating weekly flights between Darwin and Dili since February 2021 in partnership with the Australian government, in order to “maintain critical passenger and freight links with Timor-Leste”, however, this service is now planned to ramp up and become a permanent commercial route.

QantasLink will initially operate three flights per week to Dili on its E190s, ramping up to five flights each week from July.

QantasLink reveals new international route as Darwin named E190 hub

QantasLink is set to begin regular international hops to Timor-Leste on its Embraer E190s, under its ongoing wet lease agreement with Alliance Airlines.

australianaviation.com.au

 

[jase05]

Qantas moving this to a permanent commercial route now, up from 1 per week to 5 x weekly soon.

--------------

QANTASLINK REVEALS NEW INTERNATIONAL ROUTE​

QantasLink is set to begin regular international hops to Timor-Leste on its Embraer E190s.

Qantas has been operating weekly flights between Darwin and Dili since February 2021 in partnership with the Australian government, in order to “maintain critical passenger and freight links with Timor-Leste”, however, this service is now planned to ramp up and become a permanent commercial route.

QantasLink will initially operate three flights per week to Dili on its E190s, ramping up to five flights each week from July.

QantasLink reveals new international route as Darwin named E190 hub

QantasLink is set to begin regular international hops to Timor-Leste on its Embraer E190s, under its ongoing wet lease agreement with Alliance Airlines.

australianaviation.com.au

Great news.

 

[jakeseven7]

Has anyone flown this route yet?

 

[nancypants]

Does anyone have any hot tips for Dili? I’m looking at a 3 days stay (I can’t get much leave and didn’t really fancy Bali or an Australian city). But information online seems sparse

Any pointers gratefully received

 

[pippen_2k]

I spent 6 months there for work. Stay beachfront. Plenty of cafe/restaurants on the coast. Traffic is bedlam and you will get harassed by locals. Not in an aggressive way tho. I never went snorkeling but my friends loved it.

 

[nancypants]

I spent 6 months there for work. Stay beachfront. Plenty of cafe/restaurants on the coast. Traffic is bedlam and you will get harassed by locals. Not in an aggressive way tho. I never went snorkeling but my friends loved it.

Thanks for this. Any truth in the rumour that Mastercard is not accepted in TL at all?

 

[Tiki]

East Timor is on my list for potential bird watching but probably not for a couple years.

 

[Scarlett]

I spent 6 months there for work. Stay beachfront. Plenty of cafe/restaurants on the coast. Traffic is bedlam and you will get harassed by locals. Not in an aggressive way tho. I never went snorkeling but my friends loved it.

What language did you mostly use whilst there @pippen_2k? If you can explain the ‘why’ of your answer that would be great.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Thanks for this. Any truth in the rumour that Mastercard is not accepted in TL at all?

Completely true.

 

[Emily26]

Completely true.

Visa card only. Very few options (ATMs) to get cash from. Currency is all in US dollars and strongly suggest you bring cash with you and make sure it's in smaller denominations

 

[Emily26]

Does anyone have any hot tips for Dili? I’m looking at a 3 days stay (I can’t get much leave and didn’t really fancy Bali or an Australian city). But information online seems sparse

Any pointers gratefully received

I did a quick two night stay in Dili during May traveling from Darwin with Qantas. Its certainly a developing country but has a lot of potential. Stef has done a video which explains a lot. We stayed at the Beach Hotel. Its basic but much nicer then being in the 'city'.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Plenty of well-paid DFAT and Defence contractors using it most likely. Remember to brush up on your Portuguese if you visit!