Qantas Boosts Capacity in Western Australia

Qantas has today (November 28) introduced its enhanced network in Western Australia by increasing capacity to a number of markets to meet growing demand from regional communities and industries including the resource sector. The airline has based a second Boeing 737-800 at Perth which will replace smaller equipment on a number of domestic routes

“From today we will be increasing capacity from Perth to Karratha, Newman, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland and Broome,” confirmed Rob Gurney, Commercial Executive, Qantas Group. “The changes will see around nine additional return services per week and 3,466 seats per week added to the market and include the upgrade of several services from B717 to B737 aircraft. On an annualised basis, this equates to more than 180,000 additional seats.”

Looking in greater detail, the expanded schedule includes the introduction of three additional weekly rotations to Karratha and the replacement of a 717 with a 737 on the existing four flights; four more services per week to Newman; three to Paraburdoo; the upgrade of its Port Hedland route from a B717 to a B737 and the upgrade of one Broome rotation from a B717 to a B737.

“Qantas is always focused on meeting market demands and responding with increased capacity, where appropriate. Western Australia is a very important market for Qantas and we will continue to monitor demand to support regional communities, tourism operators and the resources sector,” added Rob Gurney.

Only last week the airline’s regional division QantasLink also launched flights between Perth and Geraldton and enhanced its Perth-Exmouth services by introducing Q400 aircraft in addition to Boeing 717s on the route. The airline also confirmed that frequencies on its Perth-Exmouth route will increase in January from two to eleven services per week, subject to final Government and Department of Defence approvals.