McGowan Government welcomes more flight options for Pilbara residents

• BHP to reduce community airfares on Alliance Airlines flights to $299 to Newman and Port Hedland from Perth
• Rio Tinto partnered with Qantas to make three air services a week between Perth and Onslow available from $329 one-way for a limited time
• McGowan Government continues work on delivering election commitment to cap cost of regional airfares
• $24.4 million committed to assist aviation industry recovery from COVID-19

The McGowan Government has welcomed today's announcement that BHP will lower the price of community fares on its Alliance Airlines flights to Newman and Port Hedland from Perth.

The price of one-way fares will decrease to $299 on the Alliance Airlines Perth-Port Hedland (seven one-way services per week) and Perth-Newman (three return services per week) routes.

This initiative provides up to 300 seats per week into Newman and Port Hedland.

BHP's Community Airfares are available to Pilbara residents as well as visiting friends and family who do not live in Newman and Port Hedland.

This fare also supports small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in Newman and Port Hedland where contractors are needed to fly in to assist business operations.

Rio Tinto is currently flying construction personnel into Onslow to support its Robe Valley Sustaining Capital Project, and has partnered with Qantas to make seats available to the community on the airline's flights to and from Perth for a limited time.

Between April and September 2021, seats will be available on three return Qantas flights per week between Onslow and Perth from $329 one-way, doubling the amount of flights available.

A long-standing partnership between Chevron and Virgin also provides community fares on three services per week from Onslow at $299 one-way.

The McGowan Government will continue to work with airlines and the private sector to encourage more frequent regional flights and deliver on our election commitment to cap airfares throughout regional Western Australia.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"I commend BHP, Rio Tinto, Alliance Airlines and Qantas for working closely with our Government and local communities to make regional fares more accessible and affordable.

"Our Government made a promise to cap regional airfares at $299 for one-way regional destinations and it's fantastic to see the private sector supporting this commitment.

"This is a great step forward by BHP and I look forward to continuing to work on these key partnerships.  

"Not only do regional airfares connect friends and family, but they also open up more opportunities for people to see and visit our beautiful State, supporting tourism and local jobs."

Comments attributed to Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:

"I welcome today's announcement by BHP to drop the price of community fares between Perth to Port Hedland and Newman.

"This will make a huge difference for locals whose friends and family may want to come to the Pilbara to visit, as well as local businesses.

"I look forward to continuing to work to secure more affordable and accessible regional airfares, so more people can enjoy our beautiful Pilbara."

Minister's office - 6552 5500