SYDNEY (Australia) — Australia’s Darwin International Airport (DIA) has been recognised for its work in attracting new airline services to the Northern Territory with a Routes Airport Marketing Award for the Asian region.
Voted for and judged by airlines, the Routes Marketing Awards celebrate airports’ efforts to attract and retain airline customers and are one of the industry’s most highly regarded accolades. DIA first won the prestigious award in 2012, when its route development and airport marketing was named as among the best in Asia. This was followed up by two consecutive wins at the World Routes events in 2012 and 2013.
Northern Territory Airports (NTA) Director for Commercial and Aviation Development Jim Parashos said the award recognised the work the airport has done on improving domestic and international air links in the NT, noting new services to Darwin from the likes of Silkair, Malaysia Airlines, Indonesia AirAsia and Philippine Airlines.
“DIA often has to work much harder than larger airports to get the attention of airlines in a pretty competitive market, which is how initiatives such as our It’s Stupid to Fly Backwards campaign come about,” he said.
“The aim of the campaign was to support our international airline customers to grow passenger numbers from alternative markets in Northern Australia, and we’re thrilled that they see the value in making these bold moves.
“With Malaysia Airlines, Indonesia AirAsia and Philippine Airlines coming into the market in 2013, and with Singapore Airlines’ regional arm SilkAir continuing to provide valuable international connections, DIA is continuing to develop its links with Asia and now offers passengers a real choice of airlines, airline models, alliances and onward global connection opportunities.”
In a win that confirms Australia’s position at the forefront of aviation development, Tourism Australia were announced as winner of the Destination Marketing Award, recognising the tourism body’s effective joint campaigns with airlines, state tourism and Australian airport partners such as NT Airports.
