Qantas flies into Dili

Qantas flies into Dili

DILI (AP): Qantas Airways Ltd. became the second Australian airline to inaugurate services to East Timor Thursday, but competition on the lucrative route linking Dili with Darwin hasn't resulted in better prices for travelers.

The airline said it will fly into Dili six times a week.

Both Qantas and its competitor on the route, Air North, charge A$266-A$500 for a return ticket on the 90-minute flight. Neither carrier has any plans to reduce fares.

Air North has been operating commercial flights into Dili from Darwin since February.

Indonesia's Merpati Airlines is the only other commercial airline to land at Dili's Comoro airport, operating two flights a week out of Bali.