QANTAS TO LAUNCH PERTH TO JOBURG AND JAKARTA FLIGHTS

Perth is finally on Qantas ’ long-range radar after years of neglect with two new non-stop international services to Johannesburg and Jakarta to be confirmed this morning. Just four years ago the Flying Kangaroo’s only regular international route from Perth was to Singapore with Auckland a seasonal service. Perth-to-London started in 2018 and was immediately the airline’s most popular and profitable international route. Tomorrow the Perth-Rome non-stop service is formally launched, with flights to Johannesburg three times weekly from November 1 and Jakarta also three times weekly from November 30. WA is now cemented as a major Australian gateway for Qantas with more route announcements expected with Paris on the radar. Perth-Johannesburg flights cost from $1800 return and Perth-Jakarta from $870 return. Both go on sale today. SEE: Bonza uniforms for Bonza staff READ: US scraps inbound COVID testing READ Changi to open more terminals  The Jakarta service is important given Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's recent trip to Indonesia with his prediction that the country will “become a top-five world economy over the coming years.” Both routes are being supported by the WA Government’s $195 million 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. Premier Mark McGowan said, “these two flights prove that our message is being heard loud and clear – WA is safe, open and reconnected with the world and they are a vote of confidence in our State and are important aviation connections that will improve international access to WA, which is vital in diversifying our economy.” Tourism Minister Roger Cook said: “I know from my recent mission to East Java that the demand for both tourism and trade with Western Australia is only going to keep increasing, so it is vital we make it easy for both travel and air freight. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said that WA “has become an increasingly important part of our international network and we’re really excited to be launching two more routes from Perth. “International travel demand continues to rebound strongly as people make up for two years of closed borders.” Perth Airport chief executive Kevin Brown said “we’ve worked constructively with Qantas to help bring the Perth-London route back sooner than planned, and also to set up the new Perth-Rome service. “We’re pleased that we’ve been able to reach an agreement on the Jakarta and Johannesburg routes and will be working closely with the local Qantas team to ensure they are a success.”