- New non-stop flight service between Newcastle and Perth takes off today
- Qantas flights expected to bring over 23,000 additional inbound seats to WA annually
- Convenient flight for Rugby League fans ahead of Perth Bears NRL launch in 2027
- Part of the Cook Government's economic diversification strategy to generate valuable tourism dollars for local business and support local jobs
Western Australia is celebrating a major boost to its domestic aviation network today, with the launch of Qantas' new year-round direct flights between Newcastle and Perth.
The non-stop service will operate three times per week and is set to deliver an estimated 23,400 inbound seats to WA each year, opening new opportunities for tourism, business and sporting travel.
The Cook Government, through Tourism WA, partnered with Perth Airport, Newcastle Airport and Destination NSW to secure the route and strengthen the state's connectivity with New South Wales.
Directly connecting Perth to NSW's Hunter Valley region for the first time, the route makes it easier than ever for travellers from northern NSW to explore Perth's vibrant city life, natural beauty, and cultural experiences.
Securing this service is significant for Western Australia's aviation network as Newcastle is the second biggest city in New South Wales.
The new service is also expected to be popular with east coast rugby fans, making it more convenient for Newcastle-based supporters to travel to Western Australia for NRL games when the Perth Bears launch in 2027.
The non-stop route is part of the Cook Government's economic diversification strategy to drive out-of-state visitation and generate valuable tourism dollars for local business and industry.
The new connection complements WA's growing network of interstate services, including Jetstar's direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Busselton Margaret River, supporting continued growth in domestic travel.
Australians travelling to Western Australia accounted for more than 1 million interstate visitors in the year ending March 2025, the largest percentage growth in interstate trips of all states and territories.
Find out more at Qantas.com
Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
"Welcoming this brand new route is a fantastic outcome for our State and WA's tourism industry, delivering Newcastle visitors a direct flight to Perth.
"This new route is another exciting step forward in strengthening Western Australia's domestic aviation network and opening new opportunities for travellers to experience our incredible State.
"This service will tap into the large New South Wales market for a range of rugby league fans who will come to see their team play in Perth when the Bears start their NRL season in 2027, and then stay longer to enjoy the State.
"We're committed to diversifying our economy through tourism, and this new route will make it even easier for visitors to come and explore our wonderful state, generating valuable tourism dollars to support local businesses and jobs."
