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Japan’s largest airline, All Nippon Airways (ANA), will move its seasonal Perth–Tokyo service to year-round in a substantial win for Perth Airport.
Currently operating three times per week on the 787-9 Dreamliner, the Narita service – which recommenced in October, two weeks ahead of schedule – was originally slated to end for the season in March 2025 but will now be a permanent fixture at the airport.
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Perth Airport had been angling for the seasonal service to be expanded, saying it was consistently popular both inbound and outbound.
“The return of ANA’s year-round service means more options for local business and leisure travellers, as well as more international visitors coming to Western Australia,” said Perth Airport chief commercial and aviation officer Kate Holsgrove.
“Japan is Western Australia’s ninth biggest international visitor market, injecting $70 million into the WA economy in visitor expenditure for the year ending June 2024. Having this service change from seasonal to year-round is a major boost for our tourism and hospitality sectors.
“With 246 seats onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the service results in 76,752 annual seats.”
ANA first launched non-stop services between Perth and Tokyo (Narita) in September 2019 but was forced to halt them just six months later after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ANA’s original Perth–Narita route, which used 787-8s as opposed to the slightly larger 787-9, connected Western Australia with Japan for the first time since 2011, when Qantas ended its three-times-weekly flights with Boeing 767-300ERs.
The news comes as Perth Airport embarks on a $5 billion works program to bring all flights into the Airport Central precinct.
Projects include new parallel runway and terminal facilities, as well as other features including Perth’s first multi-storey carparks and airport hotel, to be built over the next 10 years in what is being dubbed the “one airport” program.
“We will have a world-class airport experience for travellers while delivering the capacity and efficiency our airline partners need to grow their connections into Western Australia,” said airport CEO Jason Waters.
“We want the new terminal facilities to reflect the confidence and character of Western Australia. This will be the first welcome to our State for millions of visitors each year and we want to make a lasting first impression.
“Last year we hosted a record 16 million passengers through our terminals, and we’re heading toward the 20 million passengers per year mark within the coming decade.”
David Reed
says:Terminal 1 & 2 at Perth Airport desperately need upgrading. The drop off / pick up area is a joke as is the entrance to the airport. Parking charges are highway robbery also. Real airports have the Arrivals and Departures areas on different levels.