Perth Airport forced to cut costs as Western Australia border stays shut

The indefinite border closures in Western Australia is having a massive impact on businesses over there – with the state’s biggest airport the latest to struggle.

Western Australia’s decision to keep its border shut until more than 80 per cent of its population has received three doses of a coronavirus vaccine has dealt another blow to a tourism hub.

In a post to Facebook last night, Perth Airport said “with passenger numbers remaining low” it was taking steps to reduce operational costs.

The airport announced the temporary closure of its T1 Domestic terminal from Monday, shifting all Virgin Australia flights to Terminal 2, and said it was reducing the opening hours of Terminal 3.

The airport described the steps as “sensible and responsible” and assured passengers “these changes will only be in place for a short period of time”.

⚠️ Important Announcement ⚠️ With passenger numbers remaining low, Perth Airport is taking a number of sensible and...

Posted by Perth Airport on Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Despite the airport labelling the move temporary, many Western Australians commented on the Facebook post, slamming the indefinite border closures that had caused the closure.

“Our city was growing. This border closure is taking it backwards,” one woman wrote.

“What will it take for people to wake up? More job losses? The rest of the world moves on with life while WA doubles down in ridiculous measures for a flu,” another said.

“Back to what it was like in the first three months of Covid – good to see WA is moving through this,” a third said, attaching a number of laughing face emojis.

“Nothing to see here. Operation Hermit Kingdom going as planned,” a fourth added.

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The Virgin Australia Terminal at Perth Airport will be temporarily moved. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

An ADF member awaiting arrivals at Perth Airport back in November 2020. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Western Australia deems the rest of the country as an “extreme risk zone” meaning travellers are locked out from every Australian state and territory due to ongoing concerns about the Omicron variant.

Western Australia was due to open to the rest of the country on February 5, meaning international and domestic arrivals would no longer have to quarantine, provided they have been double vaccinated.

But in a late-night press conference last month, Premier Mark McGowan said it would be “reckless and irresponsible” to open the border then, given the number of Omicron cases in the east of the country.

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan delayed the border reopening. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Mr McGowan said he made the decision on the basis that just 25 per cent of WA had received their booster vaccine, and wanted to avoid rising fatalities as is being seen in NSW and Victoria.

So far, of the 3904 total Covid deaths across Australia, only nine have been in WA.

The Premier has said hard borders would remain in place until 80 per cent of the eligible population had received a third dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

Western Australia recorded 17 new cases yesterday, with 178 active cases across the state.

The state’s vaccination rate is also on the rise – with 92.2 per cent of West Australians over the age of 12 double vaccinated and 39.1 per cent of people over the age of 16 receiving a third dose.