Newcastle Airport has launched its first direct flight to Perth, with Qantas Link Service starting Monday, September 8th, opening a new western corridor for business, industry and local development.
The new Qantas Link Route will be running three times a week on Friday, Sunday and Monday on the 150-seat Airbus A319, with 900 new weekly seats in Western Australia and over 45,000 per year. Qantas Link is the only airline that offers direct flights between Perth and Newcastle. The new flight will provide more than 45,000 seats between the two cities each year, assisting FIFO workers and mining non-stop aviation services to Western Australia.
It also brings back direct Perth Hobart services by airlines for the first time since 2023, running “most month of the year” three times a week, adding 32,000 seats a year.
“We worked so hard to secure this route because it's our community and one of the needs of our local expansion,” said Link Horton, CEO of Newcastle Airport. “The five-hour service saves travelers on long drives to Sydney, connecting Newcastle and Greater Hunter directly to the WA resource sector, creating great possibilities for business travel and fly-out operations.
“It also unlocks international one-stop connections through Perth to cities in London, Paris, Johannesburg, and Rome every season via Perth. Western Australia is an important part of Australia's economy. The service will make hunter businesses and workers faster and easier to access.
“The benefits aren't just about scope. With direct access to hunters, Perth-based travelers are more likely to reach areas known for their wine, coastline, defense and energy innovations.”
Perth is the fifth most traveled destination for those in Newcastle Airport's catchment. Customer demand for this route is clear, bringing out over 5,000 responses in a single day in an airport survey last July. An overwhelming 97% of respondents said they were more likely to travel to Perth if direct flights are available.
The new Perth Service is projected to inject around $21.7 million into the local economy each year, creating 74 new jobs, reinforcing the role of Newcastle Airport as a key economic driver for regional growth and connectivity in the Hunter region.
“We are truly grateful for Qantas Group, its people, and our bold growth plans for our trust in Newcastle Airport,” said Jude Munroe AO, chairman of Newcastle Airport.
“We look forward to working with all levels of government to continue enabling initiatives like the NSW Government's Aviation Attractions Fund to expand local ties and drive the local economy.
“Our board is proud to have new routes that will truly benefit, from boosting tourism and business to providing better lifestyle outcomes to our community.”
“It saves time, gains convenience and opportunities are locked,” said Mayor Port Stephens and Newcastle Airport Director Leah Anderson.
“Whether you're looking at FIFO jobs, family reunions, or much of Australia, from Newcastle people to Port Stephens to Greater Hunter to the South Central Coast, this new route will make travel easier and open the door to the world. It's worth it.”
NSW Minister of Employment and Tourism Steve Camper said the flight would boost the region's economy and unleash new ties with Western Australia.
“This is the last piece of the domestic puzzle. Newcastle will soon be holding direct flights from all of Australia's major population centres. These are exciting times for the Newcastle, Hunter and Mid North Coast visitors economy.
Qantas Link is proud to be the first airline to provide a direct air link between Newcastle and Perth.
“These flights mean that Newcastle residents will be able to increase connectivity and no longer have to go to Sydney when they want to travel to Perth,” Yangoyan said.
“We know that many customers, especially those who work in the mining and resources sector, have to do that today. We would like to thank Newcastle Airport and the NSW government for making new routes possible.”
Perth Airport's CEO and Aviation Officer Kate Holsgrove said it will connect the two cities and provide a convenient link for both business and leisure travelers.
“Newcastle is the largest domestic market in the country that is unrelated to non-stop flights, and there is great demand between the two cities. This new route is another example of Qantas Group's long-term commitment to the growth of its network into Western Australia,” Holsgrove said.
“The introduction of this new route will increase the opportunities for people to travel between Perth and Newcastle and the Hunter Valley regions, and will link passengers to international flights from North New South Wales to Perth, London, Paris, South Africa and more.
“We look forward to working with Newcastle Airport and Qantas to further develop our partnership and explore opportunities to further connect the two cities. We will support tourism and trade and support economic development.”
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