Alice Springs boosted by new WA Airnorth route
A new airline route is opening up in Alice Springs. Read where it will take you.
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A water canon will mark the commencement of a new Alice Springs to Perth route which will be launched on Monday by Airnorth.
Territorians will have the opportunity to travel directly to Perth from Central Australia, with Airnorth launching three return services departing Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The new run is supported by the Territory government’s $10m Aviation Attraction Scheme.
The first flights will be marked with a water cannon salute of the E170 jet on arrival at Alice Springs from Perth at about 11.30am Central Australian time.
The additional route is the latest service added at Alice Springs after budget-carrier Bonza launched a twice-weekly Melbourne to Alice Springs run in January.
Airnorth already operates services out of Alice Springs to Darwin, Katherine and Tennant Creek.
It’s believed to be the first non-stop service between Alice Springs and Perth since 2022. One way tickets start at $253.
Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson welcomed the return of an Alice Springs route.
“One of the biggest challenges is getting in and out of Alice Springs because of cost and these flights west will be very beneficial and add to the liveability of the town,” he said.
He said it was happy coincidence the route was launched just months out from the Melbourne-Fremantle AFL game in Alice Springs in June.
He also called for clarity around the future of the government’s airline attraction scheme.
“You won’t hear any criticism about this aviation scheme,” he said. “There was a lot of lobbying from bodies to get it up and going and government should be commended for listening to industry. Hopefully going into the election, both sides commit.”
Tourism Minister Joel Bowden said the aviation scheme was bringing results.
“Aviation access is an important part of the Territory economy and the TAAS is helping to make this a reality with our airport partners including Airport Development Group and Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia key in achieving this additional capacity for the Territory,” he said.
Tourism Central Australia chief executive Danial Rochford said the new service would bring codeshare privileges to Territory travellers,
“This is such great news for the Red Centre,” Mr Rochford said.
“Not only will this reconnect us to Western Australia, but through the Qantas codeshare it will link Central Australia to Europe through Perth’s direct flights to London, Rome and Paris, which will benefit our opportunities to boost international visitation.
“We are so thankful to the airline, the Perth and Alice Springs airports and the NT government for supporting this new route through the Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme.”
The scheme is designed to subsidise airlines’ cost per passenger, underwritten with a $10m taxpayer contribution from the Territory government to increase competition and hopefully lower the price of fares.
Darwin, Alice Springs and Uluru airports are able to apply for a share of the funding pool, which they must match dollar-for-dollar, bringing a total of $20m on offer to contending carriers.
Airnorth chief executive Daniel Bowden said the new route meant an additional 23,000 seats a year in Alice Springs.
“This expansion not only strengthens our commitment to connecting people and places but also opens a world of opportunities for travellers seeking adventure, culture, and exploration,” he said.
“We believe this route will not only enhance connectivity but also foster economic growth and tourism in both regions.”
This week, Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan endorsed the scheme saying it would not have launched flights into the Territory “at this time” without the financial incentives offered by the scheme.
Announcing the new route in December, Airport Development Group chief executive Tony Edmondstone acknowledged the aviation attraction scheme.
“Airport Development Group has a long-term vision for the Territory tourism industry and this is another significant step forward in pushing Central Australia forward as a key destination for travellers,” he said.
“We are very excited and confident about the future of the Territory and these new services will help to create positive flow-on effects for the whole economy, improving access and liveability for all Territorians.”
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