We shine the spotlight on Perth Airport’s historic commercial agreement with Qantas and the recovery and expansion of its international route network.
Qantas and Perth Airport have reached an historic commercial agreement which will unlock a multi-billion dollar wave of investment and deliver new international and domestic flights, giving a major boost to Australia’s tourism industry.
As part of the 12-year agreement, Perth Airport will invest around A$3 billion in new terminal facilities and a new parallel runway which will generate immediate and ongoing economic growth and job creation.
This will form part of a A$5 billion capital investment programme by Perth Airport – the largest ever private infrastructure development in Perth – which will also deliver two multi-storey carparks, major access roadworks, and the airport’s first hotel.
Perth Airport CEO, Jason Waters, said: “This is a special moment in the history of aviation in Western Australia as this agreement will unlock the future for both Perth Airport and Qantas.
“Qantas has some ambitious growth plans for its operations in Perth and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to push ahead together to realise this potential.
“Western Australians will now see the largest-ever private investment in an infrastructure development in Perth – a once in a lifetime investment programme that will completely change the face of Perth Airport over the next decade.
“Perth Airport’s plans will see more than A$5 billion invested in delivering new terminal facilities, a new parallel runway, two multi-storey carparks with associated roadworks, and our first airport hotel.
“This will create thousands of construction and on-going jobs, underpin the future growth of the FIFO-based resources sector, generate new tourism and trade opportunities, and deliver enormous ongoing benefits to Western Australia.
“Most importantly, it will deliver one airport for the people of Western Australia which will host all flight services giving them a seamless, world class travel experience.”
Qantas and Jetstar will relocate all services to a new terminal in the Airport Central precinct that will, along with the airline’s major investment in new aircraft, enable the growth required to turn Western Australia into a major domestic and international hub for the airlines.
Qantas and Jetstar plan to add 4.4 million seats to and from Perth per annum by the time the new terminal opens in 2031.
The hub will significantly enhance inbound tourism and give Australians more options when travelling to Asia, Africa, India and Europe.
According to the airport, the new terminal is set to offer passengers a world-leading travel experience, with seamless domestic and international transfers, as well as state-of-the-art check-in and bag drop facilities. Qantas will work with Perth Airport on plans for a multi-lounge precinct for international and domestic passengers with a new signature design and bespoke dining and wellness initiatives. As part of the agreement, Qantas plans to build a new engineering hangar in the Airport Central precinct.
Perth Airport will also invest in upgrades to Terminals 3 and 4, the current home of Qantas domestic and international flights, to create additional capacity while the new terminals are built. Jetstar will relocate its domestic services to Terminal 2 from September= 2024, unlocking further growth opportunities for both airlines, before moving into the Airport Central terminal when complete.
The Terminal 3 and 4 upgrades will enable Qantas to add services and more destinations from Perth, including Auckland and Johannesburg from mid-2025, subject to meeting border agency requirements. The works will also include gate upgrades to accommodate ultra-long-haul aircraft, including its Project Sunrise Airbus A350s which arrive from 2026.
Qantas and Perth Airport have also agreed on the need for and timing of the new parallel runway which is expected to be open in 2028.
Delivery of the new runway will enable further growth for the critical resources sector and future-proof aviation in Western Australia.
Qantas CEO, Vanessa Hudson, enthused: “This is the largest airport infrastructure deal in our history. It will enable us to create a world-class western hub and significantly expand our domestic and international services over the short, medium and long-term.
“Not only will it allow us to bring hundreds of thousands more travellers to and through Western Australia each year, it will also make it easier for overseas tourists to connect to more destinations across Australia.
“Perth-London and Perth-Rome are two of the most popular flights on our international network, which gives us confidence in our strategy to ramp up WA flying over the next few years as we receive new aircraft and grow our fleet.
“The additional flying will see us create an estimated 700 new jobs in Western Australia across pilots, crew, engineering and airport staff.
“With the launch of Perth-Paris in July and Jetstar’s new services into Asia starting later this year, we have a pipeline of growth underway that will mean Perth is on track to become our second biggest international gateway behind Sydney.”
RETURN OF GUANZGHOU-PERTH ROUTE
And the good news keeps coming for Perth Airport as China Southern Airlines recently announced that it will reconnect Western Australia with mainland China with the return of its service to Guangzhou from November 28, 2024.
Perth Airport’s chief commercial and aviation officer, Kate Holsgrove, said that the news will provide a significant boost for Western Australia’s tourism industry.
“The Chinese visitor market is so valuable for tourism, business, education, and exports. China already represents Western Australia’s fourth biggest market with 54,000 visitors in 2023 injecting A$230 million into the economy, and we know that non-stop services will have a positive impact to visitation numbers.
“The return of this service is a result of a significant amount of work in partnership with Tourism WA and State Government and we look forward to further developing our partnership with China Southern Airlines.”
The service will operate three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and will deliver 86,000 seats and 5,000 tonnes of cargo capacity into the Perth market.
She added: “Fresh produce, business and leisure tourism are all key export focus areas and a direct link between China and Perth will undoubtedly further connect Western Australia and benefit the entire economy.”
Western Australia’s deputy premier, Rita Saffioti, enthused: “China stands out as one of Western Australia’s premium markets that has historically delivered high visitor numbers and expenditure, so we’d expect this to rise significantly with the resumption of this non-stop service.
“This direct connection will not only bolster inbound tourism, but also energise adjacent sectors such as agriculture and business exchanges, solidifying our state’s reputation as Australia’s Western Gateway.”
OTHER NEW ROUTES
In a busy few months for the airport, both Thai Airways (Bangkok) and South African Airlines (Johannesburg) have recommenced services to Perth and Cathay Pacific has announcing that it will add five more services between Hong Kong and Perth from October 28.
Talking about the latter, Perth’s Holsgrove said: “The airline’s decision to operate more flights to Perth shows the confidence that the international aviation market has in Perth as a destination.
“Cathay Pacific has been an important airline partner for more than 50 years and we are delighted that the airline remains committed to connecting Perth and Western Australia to Hong Kong and beyond.”