Qantas to revive direct Auckland to Perth flights, second major carrier to fly route
The inaugural flight to Auckland hits the skies on December 8, with the Johannesburg-bound service launching on December 7.
With Perth often used as a stopover for Kiwis travelling long-haul to Africa or Europe, Qantas said the two new routes will 'enable further international connectivity for New Zealand and South Africa'.
New Zealanders are able to book their seats on Qantas' newly announced flights from today.
Air New Zealand is currently the only airline that offers Kiwis a direct route from New Zealand to Perth.
The flag carrier operates a non-stop service from Auckland year-round, and a seasonal service between Perth and Christchurch flies twice weekly from December to April.
Qantas previously ran a seasonal Perth-Auckland service, but flights between the cities ended in January 2018.
Today's announcement confirms speculation Qantas' rival route would return after the airline secured a multi-billion dollar agreement with Perth Airport, which saw both parties promising to invest in the region's tourism growth.
As part of the deal, Perth Airport plans to spend billions on new airport infrastructure, including upgrades to Terminals 3 and 4, where Qantas' domestic and international flights take off and land.
Meanwhile, Qantas would add 4.4 million seats to and from the city by 2031, and has come to describe Perth as the airline's 'western hub'.
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