BY JAMES WILKINSON

Virgin Australia is selling tickets on its new Sydney-Darwin service for $199 one-way in the lead-up to the commencement of flights on April 2, 2012.

Virgin Australia’s Business Class on the 737 fleet

The airline will use two-class Boeing 737 aircraft on the route, which will connect through to Singapore on a new Silk Air service from Darwin – a tie-in that’s come as a result of Virgin Australia’s partnership with Singapore Airlines.

Virgin Australia Group Executive of Alliances, Network and Yield, Merren McArthur said the Singapore connections to and from Darwin on Silk Air would be “seamless”.

“We are excited to be bringing competition to the Sydney-Darwin route by offering great value fares and excellent service,” she said.

Flights will depart Sydney at 9:40am and arrive in Darwin at 1:50pm, while the return service leaves Darwin at 2:40pm and arrives in Sydney at 7:25pm.

“Travellers will also have the option of our new Business Class on this route as well as a new Virgin Australia lounge at Darwin Airport, which is an attractive proposition for corporates and high-end leisure travelers,” McArthur said.

“The service has been timed to facilitate easy connections to and from popular Australian destinations such as Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and the Gold Coast, as well as a range of major international destinations around the world including Singapore, Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi and Honolulu.

“We will also be working closely with our alliance partner Singapore Airlines as well as the Government, Tourism Northern Territory and Darwin Airport to promote the Northern Territory in hundreds of cities around the world,” she said.

Sale fares are currently available on the service for $199 in economy and $999 one-way in business (for travel between April 2 and June 20, 2012), while everyday lead-in economy airfares will start at $219.