Qantas Upgrades Western Australian Network

Australian flag carrier QANTAS is to expand its activities in Western Australia, basing an additional Boeing 737-800 in Perth for intrastate services and adding Exmouth to its network from 31MAR11. The airline is also considering launching flights to Geraldton should the regional government proceed with its proposal to deregulate air traffic on the route.

“With the Western Australian government’s review of regulated routes opening Perth-Exmouth up to a second licensed operator, QantasLink will commence Boeing 717 services, initially three-times-a-week,” said Ian Grey Regional General Manager Western Australia and Northern Territory, Qantas.

The additional Next-Generation 737 model will enable an additional 7,000 seats per week to be offered on existing routes from Perth to Broome, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Newman, Paraburdoo and Port Hedland, with 2,000 more available by adding four return services to Melbourne from 17APR11, three of which will be flown using widebody Airbus A330-300 equipment. Qantas currently operates 45 return services on the Perth - Melbourne route each week. “These additional services will grow frequency by nearly ten per cent and meet what is clearly increased demand for travel between Western Australia and Victoria,” said Ian Grey.