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QantasLink has officially launched its non-stop service between Newcastle and Perth.
The flights, operating three times per week, use WA-based 150-seater A319 aircraft, with the first service touching down in Newcastle from Perth at around 1:15pm on Monday aboard VH-8NS before returning just under 90 minutes later.
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“These flights will provide over 45,000 seats between Newcastle and Perth annually with connections on to Qantas’ extensive domestic and international networks, including new one-stop options for Newcastle residents to London and Paris via Perth,” Rachel Yangoyan, chief executive of QantasLink, said.
The flight schedule is designed to accommodate FIFO workers, with timings that coincide with common crew shift change days. The new service offers a more convenient way for Hunter residents to travel to the west coast without needing to transit through Sydney.
According to Linc Horton, chief executive of Newcastle Airport, Hunter residents and businesses have “been telling us for years they wanted this connection”, which was secured via the NSW government’s aviation attraction fund.
The NSW government in August rolled out a new strategy targeting 8.5 million airline seats for the state within the next 10 years.
“This is about listening to our region and working with government and airline partners to deliver the connections people need,” he said.
“The new direct to Perth service demonstrates how our new terminal will connect our 1.4 million-strong catchment with more destinations, more easily, and will play a key role in delivering on the Strategy’s ambitious targets, especially the 8.5 million new airline seats and $91 billion visitor spend by 2035.
“Early sales for the Newcastle to Perth route are performing well and I’m confident that Newcastle Airport could grow the Qantas service beyond three flights per week.”
The WA government has also welcomed the route, with state Tourism Minister Reece Whitby calling it “another exciting step forward in strengthening Western Australia’s domestic aviation network”.
“By strengthening direct aviation connections, we’re making it easier for Australians to experience everything WA has to offer – from our vibrant capital city to our world-class regional destinations,” he said.
“These efforts are vital to supporting tourism, creating jobs, and driving economic growth across the state.”
The news comes after Newcastle’s new terminal was partially opened for domestic passenger arrivals in July, with a full opening planned to accommodate the beginning of international services in October.
The arrivals hall is now larger, with new signage and digital wayfinding, and the terminal is capable of handling wide-body jets.
The new terminal’s “swing gate” system can transition between domestic and international flights, and it promises to more than double passenger capacity from 1.2 million passengers per year to 2.5 million.
