Qantas and Perth Airport Seal Deal to Propel Australian Travel into New Heights

In a landmark move set to revolutionise air travel and tourism in Australia, Qantas and Perth Airport have inked a historic 12-year commercial agreement. This pact paves the way for a multi-billion-dollar investment wave, promising new international and domestic flights and positioning Western Australia as a pivotal airline hub.

Under the agreement, Perth Airport commits to a staggering $3 billion investment in state-of-the-art terminal facilities and a new parallel runway, anticipated to spur immediate economic growth and job creation. This forms a significant portion of Perth Airport’s $5 billion capital investment programme, the largest private infrastructure development Perth has ever seen, which also includes two multi-story car parks, major access roadworks, and the airport’s inaugural hotel.

Qantas and its subsidiary Jetstar are set to relocate all services to a newly constructed terminal within the Airport Central precinct. This move, coupled with the airlines’ substantial investment in new aircraft, is expected to add a remarkable 4.4 million seats to and from Perth annually by 2031. The new hub will boost inbound tourism and offer Australians a wealth of travel options to Asia, Africa, India, and Europe.

The upcoming terminal promises a world-class travel experience, featuring seamless domestic and international transfers and cutting-edge check-in and baggage facilities. Qantas is collaborating with Perth Airport to develop a multi-lounge precinct that will cater to both international and domestic passengers, complete with a signature design and unique dining and wellness offerings.

In addition to the terminal developments, Qantas plans to construct a new engineering hangar in the Airport Central precinct. Meanwhile, Perth Airport will upgrade Terminals 3 and 4 to increase capacity while building the new facilities. Jetstar is scheduled to move its domestic services to Terminal 2 in September 2024, fostering further growth for both airlines.

Photo credit: Qantas

The Terminal 3 and 4 enhancements will allow Qantas to introduce new services and destinations, including Auckland and Johannesburg, from mid-2025, subject to border agency approvals. These upgrades will also accommodate ultra-long-haul aircraft, such as the Project Sunrise Airbus A350s, which are expected to join the fleet in 2026.

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson hailed the agreement as the largest airport infrastructure deal in the airline’s history, one that will transform Western Australia into a world-class western hub. “This deal will not only bring hundreds of thousands more travellers to and through Western Australia each year, but it will also facilitate easier connections for overseas tourists to destinations across Australia,” Hudson stated.

Perth Airport CEO Jason Waters expressed excitement about the future unlocked by this agreement, emphasising the significant private investment that will reshape Perth Airport over the next decade. “This once-in-a-lifetime investment program will create thousands of jobs, bolster the resources sector, and provide new tourism and trade opportunities,” Waters said.

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook underscored the strategic importance of this commitment, positioning Western Australia as the Western Gateway to Australia and a major tourist destination in the region. “This will elevate Perth Airport to a world-class travel hub, putting Perth on the global map for travellers,” Cook remarked.

The agreement effectively resolves all outstanding commercial disputes between Perth Airport and Qantas, setting a new course for the future of aviation in Western Australia. With this partnership, Qantas and Perth Airport are charting a bold trajectory for economic diversification, job creation, and state-of-the-art travel experiences for years to come.