Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin Guide

IATA DRWICAO YPDNDarwinUpdated 2026-09-11
Local time
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Darwin International Airport sits on Henry Wrigley Drive in the northern suburbs of Darwin, sharing its runways with RAAF Base Darwin. The Royal Australian Air Force owns the site; Darwin International Airport Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Airport Development Group, operates civilian services under a 1945 agreement that opened the former military airfield to commercial flights, closing the older Parap civil aerodrome by the end of 1946.

The base was the target of Australia's largest wartime attack: on 19 February 1942, two Japanese air raids killed at least 243 people and destroyed 23 aircraft on the ground. The current passenger terminal, built well clear of the original wartime buildings, opened in December 1991 and has since been expanded to handle wide-body aircraft on routes to Southeast Asia.

As Australia's northernmost international gateway, the airport carried close to 1.8 million passengers in the 2024 financial year, ranking it eleventh among Australian airports by traffic. It is the hub for Airnorth, which links Darwin to remote Northern Territory communities, and connects internationally to Singapore, Dili and Kuala Lumpur alongside domestic routes to Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns and the Gold Coast.

Services

5 of 6 available

Compare 17 listed options at Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin.

Location

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Key facts

Size
1.8M passengers (2024)2 runwaysopened 1945
Location
-12.415, 130.882
Operator
Royal Australian Air Force (owner); operated by Darwin International Airport Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Airport Development Group

Terminals

1 terminal

Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin has 1 passenger terminalPassenger Terminal, handling both international and domestic flights for around 7 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.

  • Passenger TerminalMixed

    Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Airnorth, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, China Southern Airlines

Nearby cities

4 cities

Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin is closest to Darwin (13 km southwest), and also serves Palmerston, Humpty Doo and other nearby areas. With 4 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.

  • Darwin13 km southwest
  • Palmerston24 km southeast
  • Humpty Doo39 km southeast
  • Batchelor97 km south

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the airport codes for Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin?

Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin uses the following codes: IATA: DRW, ICAO: YPDN. These codes are used by airlines, pilots, and travel systems to identify the airport.

Where is Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin located?

Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin is located in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. The airport coordinates are -12.4150°, 130.8818°.

What services are available at Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin?

Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin offers: 2 parking options, 8 car rental companies, 1 lounges, 3 nearby hotels, 3 shuttle services, public transport connections. Click on each service type above to view detailed information.

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