Minister welcomes new Qantas direct service to Perth

21/10/03
A daily non-stop air service between Perth and Canberra announced by Qantas this week was a welcome addition to the State's choice of direct air linkages, Tourism Minister Bob Kucera said today.
Mr Kucera said the service would increase air access between Western Australia and the major tourism and business markets on the east coast.
"This is the first-ever scheduled direct Perth-Canberra service and represents a promising increase in air capacity to our State," Mr Kucera said.
"The service will cut travel time between the two cities, allowing business travellers easier access, as well as providing a greater opportunity to attract Canberra residents to take a holiday in WA.
"Interstate visitors are major contributors to our State's tourism industry."
Some 890,000 interstate visitors travelled to WA in 2002, contributing almost $1billion to the State economy.
The new Perth-Canberra service follows increased flight services between Melbourne and Broome by Qantas earlier this year and a new QantasLink service between Perth and Kununurra, to start in May 2004.
"Increasing air access into and around WA is a priority for the State Government," Mr Kucera said.
The daily Perth-Canberra Qantas service starts on February 4, 2004.
Minister's office: 9213 7000