TWO overseas airlines are recommencing services to Western Australia this year.
South African Airways is planning to relaunch non-stop flights between Johannesburg and Perth in April, and Thai Airways will recommence its daily service between Bangkok and Perth in March.
Thailand is Western Australia’s eighth largest trading partner, according to the WA government.
Perth Airport chief commercial officer Kate Holsgrove expects the return of the daily Thai Airways service to bring 14,000 tonnes of cargo capacity to the Perth market annually.
“With Thailand being Western Australia’s eighth largest trading partner and a significant market for international students, the resumption of non-stop flights provides a massive opportunity for both our economies,” she said.
WA acting tourism minister Reece Whitby said the government was excited to welcome the airline back to the state.
“Securing and recommencing direct aviation services is absolutely vital to driving travellers to our State, injecting visitor spend into our economy, and creating jobs in the tourism and hospitality industries,” he said.
And the return of non-stop flights between Johannesburg and Perth would mark the 19th direct international flight secured or relaunched by the state government post-pandemic.
The WA government said South Africa is one of the state’s most significant inbound markets for travellers – the latest 12-month figures show South African visitors injected $28 million into the state’s economy in the year ending September 2023.
Mr Whitby said the state was excited about the resumption of the direct service from Johannesburg.
“We have a large and very proud South African community here in WA, and I have no doubt they will warmly welcome this announcement,” he said.
