Almost 10,000 capped airfares from the Kimberley used in first six months of Regional Airfares Zone Cap Scheme

Almost 10,000 Kimberley residents used a capped airfare on a return trip to Perth in the first six months of the government-subsidised flight scheme. There were 8614 return trips from Broome to Perth capped at $299 between June and December last year, In the East Kimberley, 1249 people took a return flight from Kununurra to Perth under the Regional Airfares Zone Cap Scheme. The scheme is a joint initiative between the State Government and five airlines, Airnorth, Qantas, Regional Express (Rex), Skippers Aviation and Virgin. It caps return flights from WA regional towns less than 1000km from Perth at $199 and places further than 1000km from the capital at $299. There were more than 37,800 capped airfares sold between October and December last year, which was a 33 per cent increase on the previous quarter. The most popular route between October and December was Karratha to Perth with 8512 one-way capped fares flown. The Kalgoorlie to Perth route was the second most popular with 5371 fares used, an increase of nearly 62 per cent on first-quarter results of 3317. Since the Kimberley floods, capped fares have also been made available to Fitzroy Crossing residents travelling between Kununurra and Perth, particularly for people living on the east side of the Fitzroy River who can still drive to Kununurra. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the first-of-its-kind scheme was going from strength to strength. “Since it launched in July last year, more than 66,200 fares have been flown, with the most recent figures showing a 33 per cent increase on the first quarter results,” she said. “By making air travel more accessible, this landmark scheme is supporting the economic development of our regions and making them more attractive places to live. “As the scheme becomes further established, we expect the momentum gathered so far to continue and for thousands more regional residents to fly to Perth more affordably and connect with family, friends, and essential services in Perth.”