- Updated
Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme fares on sale from today
- Further
$122 million investment from the Cook Government has secured the
first-of-its-kind scheme for the long-term
- Competitive
pricing means some airfares are offering flights lower than the maximum zone
cap fares, delivering more savings for regional residents
- Regional
residents are encouraged to book ahead and compare pricing among airlines to
access the lowest possible fares
- Cook
Government committed to delivering real cost-of-living relief for regional
Western Australians
Bookings under the Cook Government's updated
Regional Airfare Zone Cap (RAZC) scheme for travel from 1 July 2026 are now
open.
The Cook Government has locked in cheaper
airfares for regional Western Australians under the scheme until June 2031,
with a further $122 million investment announced in December.
The first-of-its-kind scheme is one of the
Cook Government's key cost-of-living initiatives, supporting regional families
to manage the high costs of air travel to and from Perth.
Prior to RAZC, regional residents,
particularly in the Pilbara and Kimberley, faced fares exceeding $1,000 for
one-way trips to Perth, making flying unaffordable for many.
The scheme is ensuring regional residents
can stay connected to loved ones, visit healthcare professionals and access
other essential services in Perth.
To secure the scheme for the future, zone cap fares have been updated to
reflect if a booking is for a low or high demand flight.
The change will allow the scheme to continue sustainably into the
future, while also encouraging more competitive pricing between airlines.
The original pricing of $199 one way (zone 1 for locations less than
1,000km from Perth), and $299 one way (zone 2 locations more than 1,000km from
Perth), remains for low demand flights.
High demand flights will be capped at a maximum of $265 one way for zone
1 travel, and $385 one way for zone 2 travel.
Under the updated scheme, participating airlines are able to nominate
fares anywhere up to the set maximum price caps for travel from 1 July 2026.
A number of airlines are offering fares cheaper than the maximum zone
caps set under the new scheme, providing even greater savings for some
travellers.
Regional residents can still access the low demand fares during peak
travel periods if they book well in advance of their travel dates.
When booking last-minute, the zone cap fares for high demand flights can
be relied upon to deliver year-round airfare certainty and savings when
compared to travel on regular retail fares.
Depending on their location, regional residents booking a zone cap fare
on a high demand flight could still expect to save more than $500, when
compared to a regular economy fare.
The zone cap fares of each participating airline for low and high demand
flights from 1 July 2026 can be viewed at www.farego.wa.gov.au, and booked through the airlines.
The updated RAZC scheme is a joint initiative between the Cook
Government and participating airlines Airnorth, Nexus Airlines, Qantas Airways,
Rex, Skippers Aviation, and Virgin Australia.
Bookings and travel under the original zone cap scheme remain until 30
June 2026.
Comments attributed to
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We're proud to have locked in cheaper airfares for regional Western
Australians as part of our government's commitment to delivering long-term cost-of-living
relief for regional communities.
"These changes to our landmark Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme mean it
will continue, and we can provide peace of mind to WA families that affordable
airfares are here to stay.
"This scheme has already delivered more than 758,000 capped flights for
regional Western Australians since it was introduced in 2022.
"Without it, some regional residents could have been paying more than a
thousand dollars to travel to Perth to see loved ones, healthcare professionals
or access essential services.
"Changes to the scheme are also driving competition among airlines, with
some already setting fares below the maximum caps for certain routes, offering
more savings for regional residents.
"For regional residents travelling from 1 July, we encourage you to book
early and shop around to find the cheapest fare possible."
Comments attributed to Regional Development
Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Cook Government understands the
importance of this initiative to those living in the regions. We want to help
people stay connected to family and friends in Perth as well as providing more
savings for regional residents.
"With bookings for the updated scheme now
available, regional communities are able to secure affordable flights for their
future travel needs.
"Through recognising the unique challenges
faced by those living in regional and remote areas, our government is actively
working to ensure that our cost-of-living measures such as the Regional Airfare
Zone Cap make a difference to those who need it most."
