The Australian flag carrier will launch air services between Melbourne and Exmouth in Western Australia for the first time. Qantas flew the new direct seasonal route, effectively shaving travel time by three hours for Victorians who had to connect via Perth Airport.
From now until October, the national carrier will operate twice weekly flights between Melbourne and Exmouth with its Boeing 737 aircraft.
This will effectively offer 18,000 seats available across the peak tourism season, and will help people commuting between the two cities.
Flight Schedule
The new Qantas flight will be taking off on a Sunday and Thursday. The five-hour direct flight will be made available for travellers from the eastern coast to explore one of Australia’s most remote regions. Located in WA’s northwest, the region includes the world-famous Ningaloo Reef.
Jobs and growth
CEO Andrew David, Qantas Domestic and International said that the service is expected to bring in huge inbound travellers from Victoria to Exmouth. This is expected to create lots of opportunities for tourism and related job creation.
The CEO stated: “When we announced this new service we knew it would be a popular destination for Victorians wanting to enjoy a few days of leisure.”
“The lure of Exmouth’s warm weather, coral reefs, and the opportunity to swim with whale sharks has driven strong demand, particularly over the upcoming Winter months.
He furthered: “We’re proud to add this route to our map thanks to the support of the Western Australia Government and Tourism Western Australia.”
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Roger Cook , Western Australia Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister stated he was excited to see more visitors experience the beautiful Coast.
“Ningaloo Reef offers one of the most amazing marine adventures in the world – visitors can Walk On A Dream straight off the beach, and snorkel over superb coral gardens teeming with colorful fish.”
He furthered on the coast’s rich ecology and ecosystems: “Exmouth is also home to the iconic whale shark, the friendly giant of the WA seas, as well as majestic humpback whales and manta rays, which are all accessible for visitors to interact with throughout the peak season.”
He commented on how Exmouth will be put on the global tourism map: “This new direct flight will make it even easier for interstate and international visitors to get to Exmouth and experience everything this beautiful region has to offer.
“We are delighted to work with our valued aviation partner Qantas, to support this new service and drive strong tourism outcomes for the state,” he added.
The Western Australian city of Exmouth is the latest to join Qantas’s extensive and comprehensive domestic network.
The Flying Kangaroo, being the flag carrier of Australia, operates to 65 destinations across the commonwealth. Coral Coast residents will surely benefit from the new route, with a stronger domestic presence and easier traveling internationally.
Not without support
With this new routing comes huge state support. The government of Western Australia has supported the airline by keeping the prices low of $399 one-way special fares currently on sale, with the usual sales price of $531 one-way initially.
Guests traveling on the inaugural flight between the Victorian city and Exmouth will receive a limited-edition amenity designed hand in hand with Qantas and Tourism Western Australia featuring artwork by Western Australian Wongi Artist, Kevin Wilson.
