Air travel in regional WA to take off with launch of new airline

Editor -
  • Big win for regions with new airline launched in Western Australia
  • Nexus Airlines will expand route options and services on Inter-Regional Flight Network (IRFN)
  • New airline and expansion of (IRFN) supported by $4 million investment from State Government
  • Zone Cap fares available on new Nexus Airlines Geraldton-Perth service

A State Government investment of more than $4 million has today culminated in the expansion of the State's Inter-Regional Flight Network (IRFN), with the launch of Western Australia's newest carrier, Nexus Airlines.

The launch of Nexus Airlines, which is owned by Aviair, will deliver more routes, upgraded services and cheaper airfares for regional Western Australians.

The State Government granted Aviair a monopoly right to assist in the establishment of the IRFN service in 2019 and has now committed $4.05 million over four years until June 2027 to enhance the service and extend the network to Geraldton.

Nexus Airlines will fly 76-seater planes on the expanded IRFN operating between Geraldton-Karratha-Port Hedland-Broome and return along with other regional routes across Western Australia.

The larger planes accommodate more than eight times the capacity of Aviair's nine-seater planes currently used on the existing IRFN and will make air travel on the network more affordable.

The IRFN provides direct air travel for regional residents between major business and tourism centres in the State's Mid-West, Pilbara and Kimberley regions, saving time for travellers by removing the need to travel via Perth.

Nexus Airlines has also announced a new Geraldton-Perth service.

Customers of Nexus Airlines' Geraldton-Perth service will have access to the Government's popular Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme, which is making air travel more affordable for regional Western Australians.

More than 100,000 capped airfares were booked in the first nine months of scheme.

Nexus Airlines is expected take flight on the expanded IRFN on 10 July this year.

Tickets and flight schedules for Nexus Airlines flights are available through www.nexusairlines.com.au.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"The launch of a new airline is a massive win for aviation in regional WA, and the upgrade of the Inter-Regional Flight Network is the culmination of a lot of hard work between the State Government and Aviair.

"We have invested more than $4 million to expand the Inter-Regional Flight Network, and the launch of Nexus Airlines will mean bigger planes, more routes, better services and cheaper airfares for regional Western Australians.

"The network expansion will mean for the first time in our State's regional aviation history, people will be able to fly directly between Karratha and Geraldton. This will be a game-changer, linking Geraldton businesses and workers to the State's booming mining industry in the Pilbara.

"Customers using the Nexus Airlines Geraldton-Perth route will also have access to our Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme, which is making air travel more affordable than ever before for regional residents.

"This scheme has been incredibly popular and an additional $20.7 million in the 2023-24 State Budget will see it continue to make flights to and from Perth more affordable for regional residents."

Comments attributed to Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:

"This is a huge win for people in Geraldton and the Mid-West and highlights the impact of our Government's ongoing commitment to improve access to air travel in regional WA.

"The launch of Nexus Airlines will not only improve the connectivity between the Mid-West and the Pilbara region, but it will also provide a new service between Geraldton and Perth.

"Through regional capped airfares, our Government is making air travel cheaper and more accessible than ever before for communities in and around Geraldton."

Comments attributable to Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna

"Our Government's expansion of the Inter-Regional Flight Network will see significant improvements to air services in the Kimberley region by providing substantially improved services between Broome and the Pilbara.

"We're committed to improved aviation in the Kimberley region, and support for routes like Broome to Derby have been critical to our community, particularly during the recent floods."

Comments attributed to Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:

"It's fantastic to see expanded services into the Pilbara, and for the first time, a direct connection between Geraldton and Karratha.

"The direct route between Karratha and Geraldton will bring significant benefits to both Pilbara and Mid-West businesses."