The growing importance of Australia's west coast for international airlines is reflected in recent developments at Perth Airport. While Australian airline Qantas already offers non-stop ultra-long-haul flights to London, Paris and Rome, Jetstar, the Qantas Group's low-cost airline, is increasingly positioning itself as a key player in the region. By opening a new base in Perth and adding additional flights to Asia, Jetstar is strengthening its presence and offering new opportunities to Western Australians and international travellers.
Jetstar has officially launched its third Asian destination from Perth on 6 September 2024 by commencing non-stop flights to Bangkok. This new route complements existing services to Singapore and Phuket, which launched in August 2024. The Bangkok service will operate four times a week, operating the route between Perth and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) from Monday to Sunday with an Airbus A321LR.
Flight times for the Bangkok route are strategically chosen to provide flexible options for travellers, with departures from Perth on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 14:55pm, arriving in Bangkok at 20:30pm. Return flights depart at 21:40pm on the same days and arrive in Perth at 05:20am the following day. This new service will create over 300.000 additional low-fare seats annually and is expected to boost Western Australian tourism as well as expand passenger access to Asia.
New base and expansion
In parallel with the expansion of its route network, Jetstar has opened a new base at Perth Airport. This includes up to 60 pilots and four new Airbus A321LRs. The base is part of a comprehensive expansion that will enable Jetstar to further expand its Western Australian network. Stephanie Tully, CEO of Jetstar, explained the strategic importance of this measure: "Stationing pilots and aircraft in Perth will not only help us expand our offering, but will also support the Western Australian tourism economy."
Jetstar plans to add a total of 2029 new A38LR and A321XLR aircraft to its fleet by 321. The addition of these modern narrow-body jets will enable the airline to further optimise its short-haul and international flights. Jetstar currently operates 15 A321LRs, which are used on domestic and international short-haul flights, including destinations such as Bali, Singapore, Fiji and the Cook Islands.
Improved transfer connections
In addition to the new flights and base, Jetstar has optimised its operations at Perth Airport. Domestic flights have been moved from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2, which is now adjacent to Terminal 1, which handles international flights. This move provides a more convenient transfer process for passengers and reduces the need to use shuttle buses between terminals. In addition, the underground airport train station offers direct connections to central Perth, greatly improving travel convenience.
Jetstar's expansion and the opening of the new base in Perth underline the growing interest of international airlines in Australia's west coast. With the expansion of flight connections and improved infrastructure, Jetstar is strengthening its position as a major player in regional air transport. The additional capacity and optimized connecting connections will not only benefit Western Australian travelers, but will also promote international tourism to the region.
Overall, the development at Perth Airport demonstrates the importance of continually adapting flight offerings and infrastructure to meet the growing demands of global travel. Jetstar will undoubtedly play a central role in further strengthening connections between Australia and Asia.
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