Politicians argue while Darwin waits for Garuda
We’re ready to fly to Bali, says budget carrier
DARWIN – Squabbling politicians in the Northern Territory are trying to claim the high ground in urging Garuda to reverse its recent decision to dump flights between Darwin and Bali.
Northern Territory tourism minister Chris Burns and Opposition Leader Terry Mills separately flew to Jakarta last week to convince the Indonesian airline to return its Darwin service.
Both men claimed they were first to seek meetings with the relevant authorities in Jakarta.
Petty squabbles aside, budget airline Indonesian Air Asia (IAA) said it is ready to take over the route being abandoned by Garuda.
President Director of IAA, Dharmadi, told Bisnis Indonesia that his company would began flying to Darwin before then end of 2009.
“The potential of the Darwin-Bali route is less than rewarding, but we are convinced a market can be created,” said Dharmadi.
