Labor rejects opening domestic air routes

Labor's transport spokesman Anthony Albanese believes opening Australia's domestic airline market to international players is "unilateral economic disarmament".

Cabinet is expected to consider a proposal to allow international airlines to operate domestic routes as part of a plan to develop the Top End as early as Monday, but the plan could fall over in the face of resistance from some ministers.

That would please Mr Albanese, who told reporters in Canberra on Monday the proposal was "pure ideology over common sense".