The Northern Territory Government has sent warm congratulations to Malaysia Airlines, which today celebrates a successful first year of operation in Darwin.

“This weekend marks the first anniversary of the return of Malaysia Airlines to the Top End after an 11 year hiatus,” minister for transport Peter Styles said.

“Through Malaysia Airlines, the Territory can now link through to important trading partners such as Japan and Vietnam, which are so critical to the development of Northern Australia.

“Malaysia Airlines is a premium full service carrier with a comprehensive global network in the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia and their presence here is a key part of our strategy to position Darwin as the northernmost gateway to Australia.

“The Northern Territory has Australia’s fastest growing international aviation market, with growth in international demand to and from the Territory at eight per cent, outstripping the rest of Australia at 5.9 per cent.

“Developing the North means developing successful partnerships with world class airlines like Malaysia,” Styles said.

Australian minister for tourism Matt Conlan said the territory’s partnership with Malaysia Airlines was important to help attract more international tourists to the NT.

“Malaysia Airlines has connections to our all-important traditional holiday markets of the United Kingdom and Europe,” said Conlan.

“With Malaysia Airlines a part of the One World Alliance, it means travellers can fly all the way from London to the NT on a single ticket.

“Our relationship with the Airline is also helping to boost the Territory’s profile in Asia and emerging holiday markets such as Malaysia, China, Korea and Thailand.

“Tourism NT has a cooperative advertising agreement with Malaysia Airlines, which is delivering extensive exposure for the Territory to potential holiday makers in Germany, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Japan and Malaysia.

“This marketing activity has been made possible by the significant investment by the Giles Government in our tourism industry and additional $16 million in the Tourism Budget over the past two years.

“The Giles Government is committed to growing our tourism industry and turn around a decade of declining visitor numbers, to help boost the economy and create more jobs for Territorians.”