Going west: Newcastle's new flights the 'last piece in domestic puzzle'
Newcastle will soon have direct flights to every major Australian population centre, with QantasLink announcing a new westward corridor.
From September 8, the airline will fly from Newcastle to Perth three times a week on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays with a 150-seat Airbus A319.
The demand for the route has been fuelled by the business links between the two cities, which have similar economic trajectories, with large resource and energy sectors.
The five-hour flight is expected to carry 900 passengers a week and 45,000 passengers annually.
New Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said the Perth service was a natural next step in the airport's growth.
"We've worked hard to secure this route because it's one our community and extended region needs," Mr Horton said.
"The five-hour service saves travellers a lengthy drive to Sydney and connects Newcastle and the Greater Hunter directly with WA's resources sector, creating enormous potential for business travel and fly-in fly-out operations."
The route was secured with the help of the NSW government, which kicked in millions of dollars through its Aviation Activation Fund to entice airlines to open up new flights out of Newcastle.
Jobs and Tourism Minister Steve Kamper said with the addition of the Perth route, Newcastle would soon have direct flights from all major Australian population centres.
"This is the last piece in the domestic puzzle," Mr Kamper said.
"These are exciting times for the visitor economy in Newcastle, the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast."
Mr Horton said the new route would also unlock international one-stop connections via Perth to cities such as London, Paris, Johannesburg and Rome.
"The benefits aren't just outbound," Mr Horton said. "With direct access to the Hunter, Perth-based travellers now have easier reach to a region known for wine, coastlines, defence and energy innovation."
QantasLink chief executive Rachel Yangoyan pointed to the strong resource-sector business links between the two regions.
"These flights will boost connectivity for Newcastle residents and mean they no longer have to drive to and from Sydney when they want to travel to Perth," Ms Yangoyan said.
"We know many customers, particularly those working in the mining and resources sector, are having to do that today."
Perth Airport's chief commercial and aviation officer Kate Holsgrove said the flights would be welcomed by Western Australian residents.
"Newcastle is our largest domestic market unserved by a non-stop flight and there is significant demand between the two cities," she said.
Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said the new connection was "another step forward in making the Hunter not just a great place to visit, but an even better place to live", while Port Stephens MP Kate Washington called it a "game-changer for our region".
Port Stephens mayor and Newcastle Airport director Leah Anderson said the route was all about "time saved, convenience gained and opportunities unlocked".
"The direct flights to Perth gives our locals something they've been asking for - a way to fly west that doesn't involve traffic jams or early morning drives to Sydney," Cr Anderson said.
The new route comes at a transformative time for Newcastle Airport, which is preparing to open its new international terminal in August.
A Newcastle Herald investigation previously revealed the airport had been in discussions with councils to access a financial bailout of up to $40 million, and had been working to rein in spending and pay off escalating debt. The airport has repeatedly denied any financial problems.
Newcastle Airport chair Jude Munro said the new route showed confidence in the airport and its future.
"We sincerely thank the Qantas Group for placing their trust in Newcastle Airport, its people and our bold plans for growth," Ms Munro said.
Newcastle will soon have direct flights to every major Australian population centre, with QantasLink announcing a new westward corridor.
From September 8, the airline will fly from Newcastle to Perth three times a week on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays with a 150-seat Airbus A319.
The demand for the route has been fuelled by the business links between the two cities, which have similar economic trajectories, with large resource and energy sectors.
The five-hour flight is expected to carry 900 passengers a week and 45,000 passengers annually.
New Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said the Perth service was a natural next step in the airport's growth.
"We've worked hard to secure this route because it's one our community and extended region needs," Mr Horton said.
"The five-hour service saves travellers a lengthy drive to Sydney and connects Newcastle and the Greater Hunter directly with WA's resources sector, creating enormous potential for business travel and fly-in fly-out operations."
The route was secured with the help of the NSW government, which kicked in millions of dollars through its Aviation Activation Fund to entice airlines to open up new flights out of Newcastle.
Jobs and Tourism Minister Steve Kamper said with the addition of the Perth route, Newcastle would soon have direct flights from all major Australian population centres.
"This is the last piece in the domestic puzzle," Mr Kamper said.
"These are exciting times for the visitor economy in Newcastle, the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast."
Mr Horton said the new route would also unlock international one-stop connections via Perth to cities such as London, Paris, Johannesburg and Rome.
"The benefits aren't just outbound," Mr Horton said. "With direct access to the Hunter, Perth-based travellers now have easier reach to a region known for wine, coastlines, defence and energy innovation."
QantasLink chief executive Rachel Yangoyan pointed to the strong resource-sector business links between the two regions.
"These flights will boost connectivity for Newcastle residents and mean they no longer have to drive to and from Sydney when they want to travel to Perth," Ms Yangoyan said.
"We know many customers, particularly those working in the mining and resources sector, are having to do that today."
Perth Airport's chief commercial and aviation officer Kate Holsgrove said the flights would be welcomed by Western Australian residents.
"Newcastle is our largest domestic market unserved by a non-stop flight and there is significant demand between the two cities," she said.
Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said the new connection was "another step forward in making the Hunter not just a great place to visit, but an even better place to live", while Port Stephens MP Kate Washington called it a "game-changer for our region".
Port Stephens mayor and Newcastle Airport director Leah Anderson said the route was all about "time saved, convenience gained and opportunities unlocked".
"The direct flights to Perth gives our locals something they've been asking for - a way to fly west that doesn't involve traffic jams or early morning drives to Sydney," Cr Anderson said.
The new route comes at a transformative time for Newcastle Airport, which is preparing to open its new international terminal in August.
A Newcastle Herald investigation previously revealed the airport had been in discussions with councils to access a financial bailout of up to $40 million, and had been working to rein in spending and pay off escalating debt. The airport has repeatedly denied any financial problems.
Newcastle Airport chair Jude Munro said the new route showed confidence in the airport and its future.
"We sincerely thank the Qantas Group for placing their trust in Newcastle Airport, its people and our bold plans for growth," Ms Munro said.
Newcastle will soon have direct flights to every major Australian population centre, with QantasLink announcing a new westward corridor.
From September 8, the airline will fly from Newcastle to Perth three times a week on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays with a 150-seat Airbus A319.
The demand for the route has been fuelled by the business links between the two cities, which have similar economic trajectories, with large resource and energy sectors.
The five-hour flight is expected to carry 900 passengers a week and 45,000 passengers annually.
New Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said the Perth service was a natural next step in the airport's growth.
"We've worked hard to secure this route because it's one our community and extended region needs," Mr Horton said.
"The five-hour service saves travellers a lengthy drive to Sydney and connects Newcastle and the Greater Hunter directly with WA's resources sector, creating enormous potential for business travel and fly-in fly-out operations."
The route was secured with the help of the NSW government, which kicked in millions of dollars through its Aviation Activation Fund to entice airlines to open up new flights out of Newcastle.
Jobs and Tourism Minister Steve Kamper said with the addition of the Perth route, Newcastle would soon have direct flights from all major Australian population centres.
"This is the last piece in the domestic puzzle," Mr Kamper said.
"These are exciting times for the visitor economy in Newcastle, the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast."
Mr Horton said the new route would also unlock international one-stop connections via Perth to cities such as London, Paris, Johannesburg and Rome.
"The benefits aren't just outbound," Mr Horton said. "With direct access to the Hunter, Perth-based travellers now have easier reach to a region known for wine, coastlines, defence and energy innovation."
QantasLink chief executive Rachel Yangoyan pointed to the strong resource-sector business links between the two regions.
"These flights will boost connectivity for Newcastle residents and mean they no longer have to drive to and from Sydney when they want to travel to Perth," Ms Yangoyan said.
"We know many customers, particularly those working in the mining and resources sector, are having to do that today."
Perth Airport's chief commercial and aviation officer Kate Holsgrove said the flights would be welcomed by Western Australian residents.
"Newcastle is our largest domestic market unserved by a non-stop flight and there is significant demand between the two cities," she said.
Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said the new connection was "another step forward in making the Hunter not just a great place to visit, but an even better place to live", while Port Stephens MP Kate Washington called it a "game-changer for our region".
Port Stephens mayor and Newcastle Airport director Leah Anderson said the route was all about "time saved, convenience gained and opportunities unlocked".
"The direct flights to Perth gives our locals something they've been asking for - a way to fly west that doesn't involve traffic jams or early morning drives to Sydney," Cr Anderson said.
The new route comes at a transformative time for Newcastle Airport, which is preparing to open its new international terminal in August.
A Newcastle Herald investigation previously revealed the airport had been in discussions with councils to access a financial bailout of up to $40 million, and had been working to rein in spending and pay off escalating debt. The airport has repeatedly denied any financial problems.
Newcastle Airport chair Jude Munro said the new route showed confidence in the airport and its future.
"We sincerely thank the Qantas Group for placing their trust in Newcastle Airport, its people and our bold plans for growth," Ms Munro said.
Newcastle will soon have direct flights to every major Australian population centre, with QantasLink announcing a new westward corridor.
From September 8, the airline will fly from Newcastle to Perth three times a week on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays with a 150-seat Airbus A319.
The demand for the route has been fuelled by the business links between the two cities, which have similar economic trajectories, with large resource and energy sectors.
The five-hour flight is expected to carry 900 passengers a week and 45,000 passengers annually.
New Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said the Perth service was a natural next step in the airport's growth.
"We've worked hard to secure this route because it's one our community and extended region needs," Mr Horton said.
"The five-hour service saves travellers a lengthy drive to Sydney and connects Newcastle and the Greater Hunter directly with WA's resources sector, creating enormous potential for business travel and fly-in fly-out operations."
The route was secured with the help of the NSW government, which kicked in millions of dollars through its Aviation Activation Fund to entice airlines to open up new flights out of Newcastle.
Jobs and Tourism Minister Steve Kamper said with the addition of the Perth route, Newcastle would soon have direct flights from all major Australian population centres.
"This is the last piece in the domestic puzzle," Mr Kamper said.
"These are exciting times for the visitor economy in Newcastle, the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast."
Mr Horton said the new route would also unlock international one-stop connections via Perth to cities such as London, Paris, Johannesburg and Rome.
"The benefits aren't just outbound," Mr Horton said. "With direct access to the Hunter, Perth-based travellers now have easier reach to a region known for wine, coastlines, defence and energy innovation."
QantasLink chief executive Rachel Yangoyan pointed to the strong resource-sector business links between the two regions.
"These flights will boost connectivity for Newcastle residents and mean they no longer have to drive to and from Sydney when they want to travel to Perth," Ms Yangoyan said.
"We know many customers, particularly those working in the mining and resources sector, are having to do that today."
Perth Airport's chief commercial and aviation officer Kate Holsgrove said the flights would be welcomed by Western Australian residents.
"Newcastle is our largest domestic market unserved by a non-stop flight and there is significant demand between the two cities," she said.
Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said the new connection was "another step forward in making the Hunter not just a great place to visit, but an even better place to live", while Port Stephens MP Kate Washington called it a "game-changer for our region".
Port Stephens mayor and Newcastle Airport director Leah Anderson said the route was all about "time saved, convenience gained and opportunities unlocked".
"The direct flights to Perth gives our locals something they've been asking for - a way to fly west that doesn't involve traffic jams or early morning drives to Sydney," Cr Anderson said.
The new route comes at a transformative time for Newcastle Airport, which is preparing to open its new international terminal in August.
A Newcastle Herald investigation previously revealed the airport had been in discussions with councils to access a financial bailout of up to $40 million, and had been working to rein in spending and pay off escalating debt. The airport has repeatedly denied any financial problems.
Newcastle Airport chair Jude Munro said the new route showed confidence in the airport and its future.
"We sincerely thank the Qantas Group for placing their trust in Newcastle Airport, its people and our bold plans for growth," Ms Munro said.
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