Culture, Connection and Community
“This partnership reflects our deep respect for First Nations culture and our commitment to celebrating Indigenous storytelling and creativity. Through meaningful collaborations like this, we aim to strengthen cultural understanding and ensure the vibrancy of First Nations voices continues to shine in the Top End.”
Airport Development Group (ADG) is proud to announce our continued partnership with Darwin Entertainment Centre as a sponsor of the Garrmalang Festival and Garrmalang Presents programs for 2025.
This year’s Garrmalang Festival is a retrospective celebration of 10 years, set to be held on Saturday 21 June and promising to be a powerful celebration of First Nations voices, featuring:
- Our Elders – a storytelling event with Larrakia Elders
- Garrmalang Retrospective Photographic Exhibition – displayed for two months
- Dan Sultan with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra – a concert event showcasing the best of First Nations and local talent
Through the Garrmalang Presents series, ADG is supporting, Illume by Bangarra Dance Theatre, with performances on 15 and 16 August and more events to be announced across the year.
Executive General Manager People, Culture and Community at ADG, Sandra de Kock, said “This partnership reflects our deep respect for First Nations culture and our commitment to celebrating Indigenous storytelling and creativity. Through meaningful collaborations like this, we aim to strengthen cultural understanding and ensure the vibrancy of First Nations voices continues to shine in the Top End.”
The support of Airport Development Group helps share these stories with the world, starting the moment visitors step off the plane at Darwin International Airport.
ADG looks forward to walking alongside our cultural partners as we help bring these important stories to life.
Airport Development Group (ADG) is proud to announce that Darwin International Airport (DIA) has received a Silver Award in the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID) Green Airports Recognition 2025, under the category of airports handling fewer than 6 million passengers annually. This is ADG’s third Green Airports Award in four years (2022, 2024 & 2025).
Today marks a milestone for Alice Springs and Far North Queensland as Airnorth’s inaugural direct flight between Alice Springs and Cairns becomes a reality, opening up exciting opportunities for tourism, business, and investment. The new service, operating three times per week, is touching down in Alice Springs this afternoon. This service strengthens links between two of Australia’s most iconic regions, offering more than 30,000 seats annually and enhancing domestic and international itineraries.
Airport Development Group (ADG) recognises the strategic importance of the Barkly region; in particular the vast energy resources of the Beetaloo, the current and future development of critical minerals and rare earths, and the potential need for a logistics hub to support Northern Australia’s Defence requirements. As such, ADG has today released the draft Tennant Creek Aviation and Accommodation Hub concept plan for community consultation. This concept plan has been developed together with key industry participants and seeks to provide a long-term solution to the growing aviation and logistics needs of the Barkly.
The Airport Development Group’s (ADG) Indigenous Training Academy (ITA) participated in a unique community engagement event with the Canberra Raiders, showcasing the power of sport to inspire, unite, and build future leaders. Held at TIO Stadium in Darwin, the event provided ADG’s ITA trainees with a special opportunity to attend a Canberra Raiders training session, followed by a photo opportunity with the players.
Airport Development Group (ADG) was pleased to host the Australian Airports Association (AAA) Northern Territory Division Meeting on Thursday, 3 April, bringing together airport operators from across the Territory. The event provided a valuable platform for industry leaders to engage with the AAA on strategic priorities, policy updates, and advocacy efforts that shape the future of aviation in Australia.
Today marks a major milestone for the Northern Territory’s global connectivity as Qantas launches its inaugural Darwin-Singapore service. This new route adds over 70,000 seats annually, providing Territorians with a one-stop gateway to Asia and Europe—the fastest way to travel to London.
Airport Development Group (ADG) is enhancing the visitor experience at Darwin Airport Resorts, with the refurbishment of 159 rooms, 8 new luxury villas, and a brand-new restaurant showcasing local NT and Australian produce, as part of an amazing new menu. This investment, delivered in collaboration with ADG’s Major Projects team, is part of a broader commitment to bolstering tourism and hospitality offerings in the Top End.
Alice Springs Airport has been recognised as a finalist in the prestigious Routes Asia 2025 Marketing Awards, competing in the Under 5 million Passengers category. This achievement highlights the airport’s ongoing commitment to regional connectivity, tourism growth, and sustainable aviation development in the heart of Australia.
Airport Development Group (ADG), in collaboration with the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations (DTBAR), proudly represented the Northern Territory at the Routes Asia 2025 conference in Perth. As the only route development event dedicated to the Asia-Pacific region, Routes Asia 2025 brought together decision-makers from airlines, airports, tourism authorities, and aviation stakeholders to shape the future of air connectivity across the region. With over 900 aviation professionals in attendance and more than 3,000 meetings scheduled, the event provided a vital platform to enhance the Northern Territory’s visibility and promote new air service opportunities.
Airport Development Group (ADG) proudly welcomes Indonesia AirAsia’s official touch down in Darwin today, marking an exciting new chapter in connectivity between the Northern Territory and Asia. The new service bolsters affordable and convenient travel options for Territorians embarking on journeys to Indonesia and beyond. Likewise, Southeast Asian travellers wanting to experience the Northern Territory’s unique culture, landscapes, and world-class tourism experiences now have a wider gateway to the Top End.