New aviation partnerships provide welcome boost to WA’s north

Tourism WA has struck historic partnerships with Virgin Australia and Qantas to provide more than 50,000 affordable airfares to WA’s north over the next 12 months.

The fares will help stimulate tourism and provide an economic boost to the regions most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourism WA acting MD, Derryn Belford said this was the largest regional aviation deal in the history of our State.

“We’re proud to lead this partnership with both Virgin Australia and Qantas, to further encourage West Australians to explore our incredible State,” Ms Belford said.

The airline deals form part of the State Government’s recently announced Regional Aviation Recovery Program, with funding allowing for the extension of affordable airfares between Perth and Exmouth, Broome and Kununurra through to 2021.

The deal with Virgin Australia will allow travellers to fly between Perth and Broome from $199 one-way between November 2, 2020 and October 30, 2021, or to Kununurra from $249 one-way between March 29 and September 30, 2021, when purchased 21 days in advance.

The affordable airfares will also be available for flights from Broome and Kununurra to Perth, providing Kimberley residents an opportunity to explore the city and its surrounds.

In addition, Virgin Australia will operate five flights a week to Kununurra between April and September 2021 on Boeing-737 aircraft, which will increase capacity on the route by more than 65 per cent.

“These flights sold out within a week when a similar sale was offered through a Tourism WA partnership with Virgin Australia in July, so I’d recommend those looking to make the most of these deals to book quickly,” Ms Belford said.

The new partnership with Qantas includes special one-way fares between Perth and Exmouth from November 2020 for 12 months, priced at $149 one-way during low season (November 4 – March 27) when booked 30 days in advance, and $169 during high season (March 28 – October 30) when booked 45 days in advance. Both visitors and residents of the region can benefit from these lower airfares.

Qantas operates daily services year-round between Perth and Exmouth, with additional flights during peak periods, using Airbus A320 and Fokker 100 jets.

The Virgin and Qantas special fares can be booked online or through travel agents from October 5, 2020.