1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,280 Speaker 1: Mix one at four point nine dot com DOTU for 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:06,760 Speaker 1: all the latest news and information. Now three sixty with 3 00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:10,600 Speaker 1: Katie Wolf. Everyone is listening Mix one oh four point nine, 4 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:12,039 Speaker 1: one hundred percent at. 5 00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:15,520 Speaker 2: There's been several reports over recent weeks about increased flights 6 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 2: from various airlines into the Northern Territory. We know that 7 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:22,120 Speaker 2: yesterday Quantas added seven new routes in a number of 8 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 2: different cities around Australia, including some further capacity from the 9 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:29,640 Speaker 2: likes of Darwin to Perth. So how are things going 10 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 2: out at the airport? Well? Joining me on the line 11 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 2: is the general Manager of Operations at NT Airports, Rob Porter. 12 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:39,520 Speaker 3: Good morning to you, Rob, Yeah, good morning. 13 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 2: How are you? Yeah? Wonderful Rob. How are the numbers 14 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 2: going out at the airport at the moment? 15 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:50,040 Speaker 3: Oh, really really strong, really really positive, And I think 16 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:52,000 Speaker 3: I just wanted to share with you this morning that 17 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 3: you know, the main numbers look around one hundred and 18 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 3: seventy out eight thousand seats, which is about ninety percent 19 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:02,640 Speaker 3: of the capacity pre COVID. So things are really looking 20 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 3: up for the territory. 21 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:07,679 Speaker 2: Goodness mate, Rob, So around ninety percent of what we 22 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:10,960 Speaker 2: were like a comparative to what we were at pre COVID. 23 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 2: Are you surprised that it's bounced back that quickly? 24 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 3: Oh, look, and it will continue to grow. So when 25 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 3: we look at a little bit further down the road 26 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:25,360 Speaker 3: in terms of July numbers, we're going to be back 27 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 3: to ninety seven percent, So two hundred and thirty thousand 28 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 3: domestic visitors will come to the territory during July. And 29 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:36,080 Speaker 3: I've got to say, as a new new resident of 30 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:39,760 Speaker 3: the territory, I'm not surprised. It's a wonderful place and 31 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 3: there's lots of things to explore, so I'm not surprised 32 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:45,320 Speaker 3: we're seeing all these visitors choosing to come up to 33 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:46,080 Speaker 3: this part of the world. 34 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's certainly great news, and you know, great that 35 00:01:49,240 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 2: we have bounced back that quickly. Rob, You said one 36 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 2: hundred and seventy eight thousand seats. Is that over a 37 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:57,480 Speaker 2: month long period or what period of time is that? 38 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:01,559 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's that's just for me and as I said, 39 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 3: for full July, it'll grow again to two hundred and 40 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,400 Speaker 3: thirty thousand seats that are available, So yeah, we're in 41 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 3: for a bumper season. 42 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 2: Goodness mate. And that's all attributed obviously to those to 43 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 2: those well, inter state arrivals, because as we all know, 44 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 2: we don't actually have that international capacity at this point 45 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:23,640 Speaker 2: in time. 46 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 3: Yep, that's it. This is all domestic, domestic visitors, if 47 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 3: you like. So people instead of traveling overseas because we 48 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:35,840 Speaker 3: can't go overseas, you know that they've decided to come 49 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 3: over here and. 50 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 2: Rob talk us through. I know that there's been quite 51 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:43,800 Speaker 2: a few announcements in recent weeks about additional flights coming 52 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 2: in and out of the Northern Territory. That's obviously had 53 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 2: an impact, but also some of those planes I'm assuming 54 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:53,200 Speaker 2: maybe we're seeing larger planes with greater capacity coming in. 55 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, and that's the strength of the growth. So we're 56 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:00,920 Speaker 3: getting bigger aeroplane. So we're now seeing the three thirty, 57 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:05,040 Speaker 3: which holds just short of three hundred passengers, you know, 58 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:08,960 Speaker 3: providing services between here and Brisbane, and we'll we'll see 59 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:13,800 Speaker 3: that that capacity grow as well. We're seeing maybe Virgin 60 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:17,800 Speaker 3: commit to more services. Corners is certainly up gauged in 61 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:21,640 Speaker 3: terms of bigger aircraft but also providing more services. And 62 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:25,120 Speaker 3: before long about the twenty first of June, we'll see 63 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 3: a camera a direct service. So yeah, a lot's happening 64 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:30,360 Speaker 3: it's it's pretty hard to keep up with. But you know, 65 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:34,400 Speaker 3: the team here well versed in managing this kind of 66 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 3: growth and how. 67 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 2: Things going in Alice Springs. I know that it's also 68 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:41,120 Speaker 2: managed by Anti Airports. Do you have any numbers how 69 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 2: things are going in Alice? 70 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, Alice is Alice is bouncing back strong as well. 71 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 3: So we're seeing some increases in services and I think 72 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 3: the airlines are switching out to an inn umbrella or 73 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 3: one ninety so that allows you know, about one hundred 74 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 3: people to to come and go from ours each each service. 75 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 3: So yep, certainly Alice is seeing some growth, but not 76 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 3: the spectacular growth we're seeing here in Darwin. But yep, 77 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:10,160 Speaker 3: they're doing their bit as well. 78 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 2: And Rob, are you anticipating that you know that we 79 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 2: may quieten down a little bit after the dry season 80 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:17,679 Speaker 2: or is it really too early to tell? 81 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:21,719 Speaker 3: I think it is a little bit too early to tell. 82 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 3: But I'll tell you what. We've got some great momentum 83 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 3: and if we all bandy together, and yeah, we should 84 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 3: be able to keep pushing forward and make this sustainable 85 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:34,280 Speaker 3: growth that we can expect each season. But you know, 86 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 3: as we continue into the wet season and do you. 87 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 2: Reckon those half priced flights that the government announced they 88 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 2: do you reckon? They've had an impact. 89 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:45,279 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think the it was called the TAM system, 90 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 3: so the Tourism Aviation Network support. So I think that 91 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 3: just stimulated things. They've got people thinking, you know, where 92 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 3: else could I go for a holiday this year? And 93 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 3: clearly they're choosing choosing the territory. 94 00:04:57,000 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 2: Now, I know Rob obviously with additional numbers coming through 95 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:02,599 Speaker 2: the airport, it is a wonderful thing, but COVID is 96 00:05:02,640 --> 00:05:05,480 Speaker 2: still a concern. Are there extra measures that are in 97 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 2: place when it comes to managing that from you know, 98 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:10,120 Speaker 2: from the airport for you guys. 99 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:14,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, absolutely so. So yes, you're still required to wear 100 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 3: a mask within the terminal and when you're when you're flying. 101 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:21,239 Speaker 3: Our cleaning regime here is I suggest it's the gold standard. 102 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 3: And you know, all of those things that we've been 103 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 3: working hard on will continue on through the through the 104 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 3: growth way, so you have to you know where we've 105 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 3: had plenty of practice and I think we're in we're 106 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:32,640 Speaker 3: in good shape. 107 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:35,359 Speaker 2: And with the with all the extra flights or with 108 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:39,679 Speaker 2: the increased capacity, are we seeing any routes into Darwin 109 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 2: or into our springs that we've maybe not previously seen before. 110 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 3: So yeah, that's that's in the pipeline to increase some 111 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:52,160 Speaker 3: of those other destinations, So not only about visitors coming 112 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 3: to today, but ensuring people the terrotor can can get 113 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 3: out and explore as well. So you know, the team 114 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 3: here working on other destinations and and then you know, 115 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:03,680 Speaker 3: as soon as we know, we'll be happy to share 116 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:04,600 Speaker 3: with everybody. 117 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'll be keen to find out because I know 118 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 2: that you know that that's sort of been one of 119 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:11,040 Speaker 2: the interesting side effects I suppose that we've seen as 120 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:13,320 Speaker 2: well as a result of COVID, is you know, even 121 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 2: seeing and again I know we can't have international flights 122 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:17,960 Speaker 2: at this point in time, but even seeing you know, 123 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 2: flights arriving from locations like Turkey as we saw yesterday, 124 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:24,839 Speaker 2: you go, wow, it sort of shows you that, you 125 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:26,599 Speaker 2: know that we can maybe do things a little bit 126 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 2: differently to what we did pre COVID. 127 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:34,360 Speaker 3: Yeah. Look, I think COVID's allowed everybody to reset and rethink, 128 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 3: and you know, the clever team here at the airport 129 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:40,479 Speaker 3: have been working on that and working with the airlines 130 00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:43,200 Speaker 3: to get them to think of think about doing a 131 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:46,040 Speaker 3: little bit differently so that you know, post COVID and 132 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 3: as we as we come out of the sleep that, yeah, 133 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 3: we will have some different options for everybody. 134 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:55,760 Speaker 2: And so when we talk about those interstate possibilities, by 135 00:06:55,800 --> 00:06:58,320 Speaker 2: the sounds of things, there's a few on the agenda. 136 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:02,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, we work looking on a few a few different destinations, 137 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 3: that's for sure. 138 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,200 Speaker 2: Oh, good stuff. Well, Rob Porter, the executive General Manager 139 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 2: of Operations at NTA Airports, really appreciate your time this morning. 140 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for having your. 141 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 3: Chat with us. No problemle and take you. 142 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 2: Thank you.