Milestone for landmark cost-saving regional airfare scheme

• More than 360,000 capped price airfares flown in first two years of Regional Airfare Zone Cap (RAZC) scheme
• Delivers on election commitment to provide more affordable airfares to regional residents
• Initiative is Australia's first state capped airfares scheme

The State Government's landmark initiative to address the high cost of airfares for regional residents has marked two years of operation during which an incredible 361,414 capped fares have been flown.

Since launching in July 2022, the Regional Airfare Zone Cap (RAZC) scheme has been embraced by regional residents, significantly reducing the cost of return flights to Perth for personal reasons, including for specialist appointments and family visits.

Under the scheme, airfares are capped at a maximum cost of either $199 or $299 one-way when booked as a return fare for personal travel - significantly reducing airfares which, prior to the scheme, could reach up to $1,000 return.

A total of $105 million has been allocated towards the scheme, which has been a key pillar in the State Government's cost-of-living response for regional Western Australians.

The RAZC scheme is delivered in partnership with six participating airlines: Airnorth, Nexus Airlines, Qantas Airways, Rex, Skippers Aviation and Virgin Australia.

Regional residents can book capped fares available on 18 regional routes ranging from Kununurra in the north to Esperance in the south via participating airlines' resident fare programs.

At least one flight change can be made free of charge on all capped fare bookings, providing added flexibility for regional residents travelling to Perth who need to change their return date.

For more information on the scheme, visit www.farego.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"We are incredibly proud of this scheme which is the first of its kind in the nation and has delivered significant savings to hundreds of thousands of people across our regions.

"For two years running, reduced price airfares through the Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme have been making it more affordable for regional people to stay connected to friends and family and attend important specialist appointments.

"We know that for regional residents who live significant distances from Perth, flying isn't a luxury - it's essential public transport that supports the economic and social health of their hometowns.

"They're telling us that since the RAZC scheme was introduced, it has made a massive difference to the cost of flights to Perth and their household budgets.

"This scheme is the result of extensive consultation with regional communities and airlines and the take-up of the airfares shows that it has really hit the mark.

"The additional $64.6 million investment in our recent State Budget will ensure that regional Western Australians will benefit from the scheme into 2025."