Darwin International Airport recently announced it had struck a new aviation pricing agreement with
the Qantas Group that would bring in a planned investment of more than $100 million into its airport facilities
over the next 10 years.

Darwin Airport Chief Executive Ian Kew said in a statement released Monday that the airport had reached an important agreement
with the Qantas Group on airport charges.

"This gives both the Qantas Group and Darwin International Airport the certainty they need to
grow their business and provides us with the confidence to proceed with our terminal expansion
plans so we can provide better facilities to both airlines and passengers," said Mr. Kew.

Importantly, the Darwin market has remained resilient during the recent economic downturn,
with Darwin Airport recording 11.3 percent international and 6.2 percent domestic passenger
growth during the past fiscal year.

A key growth strategy for Darwin Airport is to be the primary narrow body hub between Australia
and Asia, recognising the strategic importance of expanded domestic and international services to
the Northern Territory's economy, tourism and trade.

Mr Kew also welcomed the announcement by the Qantas Group to add new services, including
Qantas' full service flights between Melbourne and Darwin and Jetstar's plans to introduce
multiple weekly Darwin-Manila services, which will entail some $33.5 million terminal expansion.

"Qantas Airways direct Melbourne-Darwin flights will be welcome news to the business
community and further demonstrates that our market is high yielding for our airline customers,"
Mr Kew said. "Given Darwin Airport's key role as a hub between Darwin and Asia, we would be
keen to work with Qantas to extend this full service flight from Darwin to Singapore in line with
the NT Government's Aviation Strategy."

Jetstar also announced it would add a new spoke to its Darwin hub with Manila services to
commence in the near future, while also providing additional services on the Sydney, Adelaide,
Melbourne and Bali sectors.

"Manila is a great addition to the Darwin network, given that over seven per cent of Darwin's
population is of Filipino heritage and the Philippines is a great holiday destination in its own
right," said Mr Kew.

Darwin Airport's 24-hour curfew-free operations and single terminal building means it is amongst
Australia's premier terminals for passenger convenience, particularly for connections between
other Australian capitals and destinations in Asia.

"The ability for transfer passengers to arrive off one flight and connect to another in a single
terminal with less than 100 metres to walk means that more and more Australians will be using
Darwin as their airport of choice for connecting services," said Mr Kew.

The Qantas Group accounts for 85 percent of Darwin Airport's traffic but the increased fees will
apply to all commercial flights.

"We have been negotiating with all airlines on a new pricing regime and hope to conclude all
other negotiations shortly."