The McGowan Government has announced capped airfares for regional West Australians travelling to and from Perth, with the scheme taking off from today.

Flights are capped at $199 one-way for residents departing within 1,000 km driving distance from Perth.

This includes Albany, Carnarvon, Esperance, Geraldton, Monkey Mia (Denham), Wiluna, Kalgoorlie, Laverton, Leonora, Meekatharra and Mount Magnet.

For those travelling more than 1,000km driving distance of Perth, flights are $299 one-way.

This includes Broome, Karratha, Newman, Port Hedland, Exmouth (Learmonth), Kununurra and Paraburdoo.

The flight scheme comes from a new partnership between the McGowan government and Airnorth, Qantas, Rex, Skippers Aviation and Virgin Australia, with the McGowan Government committing $19.8 million towards the scheme over the next three years.

The cheaper airfares will hopefully ease the effects of expensive travel costs, as air fares have been as high as $1000 dollars one-way for some country destinations. 

To access the capped fares, regional residents need to first sign up to the respective airline programs and then book a return fare departing from their region.

“For too long regional Western Australians faced excessive, unaffordable airfares when needing to travel to and from the city,” said Premier Mark McGowan.

“The capped airfares will ease the financial burden for regional residents when travelling to and from Perth – for medical appointments, to visit family and friends, or to holiday and attend events – helping to keep regional communities connected.”

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