Qantas and Perth Airport have today inked a historic 12-year deal. The new commercial agreement will unlock a multi-billion-dollar wave of investment and deliver new international and domestic flights.
It promises a multi-billion-dollar investment boom and a significant boost for Australian tourism.
A Historic Investment
This exciting collaboration will see Perth’s profile further raised a major domestic and international hub.
Perth Airport is set to invest a staggering $3 billion in new terminal facilities, including a brand-new parallel runway.
This investment is part of a larger $5 billion capital injection – the biggest private infrastructure project ever undertaken in Perth.
The project also encompasses two multi-story car parks, major road improvements, and Perth Airport’s first-ever hotel.
Qantas and Jetstar Relocation
Qantas and Jetstar will relocate all services to a state-of-the-art terminal within the Airport Central precinct.
This move, coupled with Qantas’ investment in new aircraft, will enable significant growth, solidifying Perth’s position as a key hub for both airlines.
By 2031, Qantas and Jetstar aim to add a staggering 4.4 million seats to and from Perth annually.
This expansion will significantly enhance inbound tourism and provide Australians with more travel options to Asia, Africa, India, and Europe.
The new terminal promises a world-class passenger experience with seamless domestic and international transfers, cutting-edge check-in facilities, and efficient baggage handling.
Qantas will collaborate with Perth Airport to design a multi-lounge precinct offering a signature design and bespoke dining and wellness options for both international and domestic travelers.
Building for the Future
As part of the agreement, Qantas plans to construct a new engineering hangar within the Airport Central precinct.
Perth Airport will also invest in upgrading Terminals 3 and 4, their current home for Qantas flights, to provide additional capacity during the construction of the new terminal.
Jetstar will be the first to take advantage of these upgrades, relocating its domestic services to Terminal 2 from September 2024.
This interim move unlocks further growth opportunities before their eventual shift to the new Airport Central terminal.
The upgrades to Terminals 3 and 4 will also allow Qantas to introduce new services and destinations from Perth, including Auckland and Johannesburg (subject to border approvals) from mid-2025 onwards.
Additionally, the upgrades will accommodate Qantas’ Project Sunrise A350 ultra-long-haul aircraft arriving from 2026.
The agreement also establishes a timeline for the new parallel runway, expected to be operational by 2028.
This crucial infrastructure will further support the critical resources sector in Western Australia and ensure the state’s aviation industry remains future-proofed.
Qantas CEO Statement
Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson spoke on the historic deal. “This landmark agreement represents the largest airport infrastructure deal in Qantas’ history.”
“It empowers us to create a world-class western hub and significantly expand our domestic and international services across all timeframes.”
“This project will not only attract hundreds of thousands of new travelers to and through Western Australia but also make it easier for international tourists to explore more destinations across Australia.”
“Perth-London and Perth-Rome are consistently among our most popular international routes, giving us immense confidence in our strategy to ramp up WA flights as we receive new aircraft and expand our fleet.”
“The additional flights will create an estimated 700 new jobs in Western Australia, encompassing pilots, crew, engineering, and airport personnel.”
“With the upcoming launch of Perth-Paris in July and Jetstar’s new Asian routes later this year, we have a robust growth pipeline in place that positions Perth to become our second-largest international gateway after Sydney.”
Perth Airport CEO Statement
Perth Airport CEO Jason Waters spoke on behalf of the capital city airport.
“This agreement marks a pivotal moment in Western Australian aviation history, unlocking the future for both Perth Airport and Qantas.”
“Qantas’ ambitious growth plans for Perth align perfectly with our vision, and we’re thrilled to collaborate in realizing this potential. Western Australians will witness the largest private infrastructure investment project ever undertaken in Perth.”
“Its a transformative program that will completely reshape Perth Airport over the next decade. Perth Airport’s $5 billion investment plan encompasses new terminal facilities, a new parallel runway, multi-story car parks with related roadworks, and our first airport hotel.”
“This project will create thousands of jobs in construction and ongoing operations, bolster the future of the FIFO-based resources sector, unlock new tourism and trade opportunities, and deliver lasting benefits to Western Australia.”
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook highlighted the fact that the undertaking would solidify Western Australia’s position as the Western Gateway to Australia.
“By establishing new flight routes and adding millions of additional passenger seats each year, we’re strategically positioning WA as a major tourist destination in the region. This project will transform Perth Airport into a world-class travel hub for both visitors,” he concluded.
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