Qantas sees Perth International Airport turn into Australia’s 2nd largest international gateway
Australia’s national carrier Qantas sees Perth as its second major international hub in the near future with the possibility to add new flights in the near future. A Paris CDG-Perth route could be the next step.
Perth International Airport is again turning into a major gateway for airlines wishing to serve Australia. The airport is Australia fourth busiest.
Back in 2019, Perth International accommodated 12.5 million revenue passengers according to data from Australia’s Bureau of Infrastructure and Transports Economics (BITRE).
International traffic then generated 4.36 million passengers. Perth as Australia’s most western city, has long been considered as a major gateway to Asia. From Perth to Denpasar, the distance is equal to the Perth-Sydney route, representing around 2,600km.
After London Heathrow and Rome, a Paris CDG-Perth route with Qantas?
In recent years, Qantas also set up the first non-stop flight from Europe with London Heathrow-Perth. Australia’s national carrier launched in 2022 flights from Rome to Perth. The carrier already confirmed that its Rome-Fiumicino-Perth will return as a seasonal service in 2023, after a successful operation last summer.
The flight will operate three times per week with Qantas Dreamliner (B787-9). The aircraft can carry 236 customers across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins with enhanced passengers’ comfort for the over 16-hour flight from London or Rome.
From 2025, Airbus A350 long-range will offer even more comfort to passengers with a capacity set for 238 passengers.
Talking recently to a local radio, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce talked about the possibility of eventually launching a new European frequency, linking Paris CDG to Perth. Joyce indicated to have talks with Air France over a possible joint operation. More flights could follow to Europe and Asia.
International airlines return to Perth
Meanwhile, other international airlines already returned or plan to fly again to Perth. Philippines Airlines will start flying Manila-Perth from March 23 with three weekly services. All Nippon Airways announced to reopen its Tokyo Narita-Perth route from October 29, 2023. The carrier will provide three non-stop services. Singapore Airlines’ affiliate Scoot will also boost frequencies to Perth by adding two more services with a total of 12 flights per week.
In the fourth quarter 2022, Emirates and Qatar Airways found back their way to Perth, flying again with an Airbus A380, while AirAsia X resumed its flights from Kuala Lumpur.
