QANTAS BOOSTS DARWIN CAPACITY

Qantas today announced it would offer six additional Boeing 737 return flights per week into Darwin during July.

Qantas Executive General Manager Sales and Distribution, John Borghetti, said three of the flights would operate from Brisbane and three would operate from Adelaide.

"The boost to our Darwin services is a result of unprecedented demand," Mr Borghetti said.

"Our Brisbane-Darwin forward bookings are 70 percent above last year, and we have seen more than a 20 percent increase in forward bookings for Adelaide-Darwin over the same period," he said.

Mr Borghetti added that the additional flights were aimed at capitalising on peak period demand for Northern Territory leisure travel.

"It is a popular destination, particularly during school holidays," he added.

Mr Borghetti said the increase in Brisbane and Adelaide flights, available for bookings from tomorrow, followed an earlier 10 percent increase in capacity on the airline's Sydney-Darwin route.

He added that Qantas was extending the special Night Owl fares available on its Sydney-Darwin overnight service to these new flights.

Night Owl fares are priced at $484 return for Brisbane-Darwin and Adelaide-Darwin and $649 for Sydney-Darwin and Melbourne-Darwin.

Seats may be limited and conditions apply to these fares. Bookings and inquiries can be made at licensed or AFTA travel agents, Qantas Travel Centres, by calling Qantas