Darwin will be a more attractive holiday proposition for UK visitors thanks to the reintroduction of flights via Kuala Lumpur to Darwin with Malaysia Airlines from the 1st November. The service will run up to five times a week with a special fare from London Heathrow to Darwin, starting from £799 per person return. The fare will be available for booking until the 31 July 2013.*

Fleur Burrows Regional Manager for Tourism Northern Territory says: “The reintroduction of the services via Kuala Lumpur to Darwin confirms the Northern Territory as an even more viable gateway for visitors from the UK and Europe. We expect more visitors to choose Darwin as their point of entry to Australia as it is just five hours’ flying time from Kuala Lumpur. The new route has the potential to deliver an additional 800 visitors to Darwin each week.”

Visitors can fly to Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines on flight MH1 which departs London Heathrow at 22:00 hours and arrives at 18:20 hours the following day where they can connect onto Darwin. Flight MH253 will depart Kuala Lumpur on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 22:35 hours and  will arrive in Darwin at 5:10 hours the next day.

On their return visitors can take advantage of the return of the MH252 flight, departing Darwin at 6:00 hours and arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 9:20 hours before catching the onward connection to London Heathrow.  Flight MH4 departs Kuala Lumpur at 10:45 hours and gets into Heathrow at 16:15 hours.

The new full service flight will be operated by the Boeing 737-800, offering both business and economy cabins. Visitors will also benefit from a wider global network thanks to Malaysia Airlines’ membership of the Oneworld alliance.

In addition, the expansion of Darwin Airport will see it double in size to meet increased capacity demands.

Capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin is Australia’s most northerly city, making it the natural gateway to both the Outback and the country as a whole. Located just five hours’ flight from Kuala Lumpur and two hours from Bali, it is considered to be Australia’s most cosmopolitan and diverse city boasting a lifestyle centred around the outdoors, given its fantastic climate, from al fresco dining and sunsets to beachside markets and sailing.

*The offer is valid for travel periods: 1 November until 5 December 2013; 24 December 2013 to March 2014 and 16 April to 16 June 2014. 

For further information on Malaysia Airlines or to book visit: www.malyasiaairlines.com/uk/en.html

For more information about the Northern Territory visit: www.australiasoutback.co.uk or download the iOutback app from iTunes .The app is also now available on Android.

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For more information, images or to discuss media trip opportunities contact Lara Huberman and Suzanne Holiday on +44 207 839 2140 or tourismntmedia@keenecomms.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Australia's Northern Territory is a leading nature and culture destination where Australia's Outback meets the tropics and is home to Australia's most dramatic, beautiful and varied scenery including the awe-inspiring red centre icons of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon as well as the Top End adventure and wildlife destinations of Katherine Gorge and Kakadu National Park.
2. Darwin International Airport is an international gateway to Australia offering connections to Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City and Denpasar.
3. The peak visitor time is during the dry season, from May to September, but the Tropical Summer from October to April brings spectacular lightning shows and lush growth.
4. www.australiasoutback.co.uk is an essential resource for travellers planning a trip to the Northern Territory.
5. Follow the NT on Facebook www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/northernterritoryaustralia, Twitter https://twitter.com/AusOutbackNT_UK and Google + https://plus.google.com/u/0/117873946318705723372/ posts or watch the latest videos on our YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/user/Australiasoutback.