from ABC News site:
Last-ditch attempt to save Garuda's Darwin-Denpasar route
Posted 55 minutes ago
* Map: Darwin 0800
"The Territory Government says it will make a last-ditch attempt to keep the Garuda Airlines route between Darwin and Denpasar.
There has been no public announcement but travel agents say Garuda Airlines will end their services to and from Darwin as early as next week.
The Tourism Minister Chris Burns says he has been in contact with Garuda and will be writing to its president in the hope of changing the airline's intention.
While he ruled out any subsidies, the Minister says the Government is willing to offer additional support and marketing.
The Opposition says the Government has neglected the Territory's relationship with Asia and this is the outcome.
Garuda is the last full international carrier flying into Darwin."
I believe it will be a case of closing the gate after the horse has bolted, as the writing has been on the wall for a long time.Garuda has come close to ceasing Darwin operations on a number of occasions over the past couple of years. An "alert" Government should have picked-up on this way back and reacted accordingly to support Garuda which has stuck-by Darwin for almost 30 Years when the "blow-in" Airlines with many "promises" have come and gone.
Perhaps NT folk who are now bemoaning the demise of Garuda should have considered this as a realistic possibility when they deserted Garuda to save a few bucks in the short-term. If Jetstar has a monopoly on the Darwin/Denpasar route, I will be surprised if its "rock-bottom" fares will be around. Also, with Qantas watching its profit line so carefully, they will have no issue with reducing or dropping completely the Jetstar services if they are considered to be "fiancially-unviable".
It will then be no use "crying over spilt milk" if Darwin is left with very limited services on the Bali Route at prices higher than Garuda has ever charged.
Garuda's departure from Darwin will certainly prove to be the N.T's loss in the long-term.