Qantas will significantly boost its international network with flights from Perth to Johannesburg and Jakarta set to take off later this year.
Both the Perth to Johannesburg and Jakarta routes are being supported by the Western Australian Government’s Reconnect WA package and Qantas will work with Tourism Western Australia to boost inbound tourism from both South Africa and Indonesia into Perth and regional WA with the cooperation of Perth Airport.
From 1 November, Qantas will operate the only direct service from Perth to South Africa, operating three return flights per week on its Airbus A330 aircraft.
The flights will cut more than six hours from the fastest current travel time, with customers heading to Johannesburg from Perth currently having to fly on Qantas via Sydney, or via the Middle East.
With a large South African community in Perth, the flights are expected to be popular with people visiting family and friends as well as business and leisure travellers. The route will also offer convenient one-stop connections for people travelling to and from other Australian cities.
Qantas’ says its existing four flights per week from Sydney to Johannesburg on its Boeing 787 aircraft have had strong bookings since they recommenced in January this year and will increase to daily from 30 October.
From 30 November, Qantas flights will reconnect Perth with Jakarta for the first time since borders closed in March 2020 (and indeed ever), beginning with three flights per week on its Boeing 737 aircraft.
The route is also expected to be popular with travellers connecting to other major Indonesian cities such as Surabaya and Medan.
Speaking in Perth with Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan and Perth Airport CEO Kevin Brown, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the new routes marked a major expansion of the airline’s international network from Perth.
“International travel demand continues to rebound as people make up for two years of closed borders. Our direct flights from Perth to London and Rome are selling really strongly, which gives us the confidence to add new routes from our western hub,” Mr Joyce said.
“There’s a big South African population that lives in Western Australia and this will be great for people travelling in both directions to see family and friends. It will also help support the economic ties between Australia and South Africa.”
The addition of Johannesburg and Jakarta will mean Qantas will operate international flights from Perth to five destinations including London, Rome, and Singapore.
Fares for Perth-Johannesburg flights go on sale today starting from AUD$1800 return. Fares for Perth-Jakarta go on sale today from $870 return.
For more head to www.qantas.com.au
Flights are subject to government and regulatory approval.