Qantas today launched direct services linking Perth with Johannesburg and Auckland and marking a significant expansion of the airline's western international hub.

Flight QF65 departed Perth Airport this afternoon bound for Johannesburg, opening a direct link for the national carrier between Western Australia and South Africa.

The departure comes after Perth welcomed QF112 from Auckland this morning, the first Qantas service connecting New Zealand with Western Australia.

The milestone reinforces the growth of Qantas’ expanding international western hub, connecting three continents and adding more than 150,000 seats in and out of Perth each year, creating jobs to support the local Western Australia economy and boosting inbound tourism to the state.

The inaugural return service from Perth to Auckland is scheduled for departure on Monday 8 December.

These flights have been made possible by funding allocated from the Federal Government to Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry to deliver additional border services at airports. The funding enabled Perth Airport to invest in additional staffing, equipment and facilities that increase border and biosecurity capacity and in turn allow the airport to host more international flights.

Comments to be attributed to CEO Qantas International Cam Wallace:

“Today marks a significant milestone for Perth as our direct service to Johannesburg takes off and we welcome the arrival of the first direct flight from Auckland.

"The response from customers since we announced these routes in May has been terrific. Today's inaugural flight to Johannesburg is almost full and we're seeing positive forward bookings, so we know there is strong appetite for direct travel between the West and South Africa, as well as Auckland.

“These routes unlock more options and greater choice for all Australians to connect to the world through our growing network, including to popular cities like Cape Town through our partnership with Airlink in South Africa and for West Australians to New York via Auckland.

"We would like to thank Perth Airport, the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, and Australian Border Force for working together to make these new flights possible."

Comments to be attributed to Minister for Tourism the Hon Don Farrell:

“More international flights in and out of Perth means more choice for Australian travellers, more customers for our local world class tourism operators and more opportunities for Aussie exporters. These new flights will bring tourists to Perth, create jobs and help grow our economy.”

Comments to be attributed to Tourism New Zealand Regional Director – Australia, Andrew Waddel:

“With this new direct route from Perth to Auckland, travellers will enjoy greater flexibility and convenience, and for Aotearoa New Zealand, greater connection to Australia and the world.

“We’ve seen a 17 per cent year-on-year increase of Australian holiday arrivals into New Zealand, so this exciting update, alongside several other new route announcements from Qantas this year, only adds to our momentum. Not only is it a win for Australians who love to travel, but also the 75,000 Kiwis who call Western Australia home, making it even easier to get back home to visit whānau (family) and friends.”

Comments to be attributed to Perth Airport Chief Commercial & Aviation Officer, Kate Holsgrove:

"New international services create local jobs, drive tourism, support business and strengthen our connections to global markets. The launch of the two new Qantas international services shows a strong vote of confidence for Perth and Western Australia as a world-class destination.

"We will continue to work closely with Qantas and all our airline partners to unlock more destinations and strengthen Perth’s position as Australia’s western hub."

Route Details

Perth-Johannesburg (QF65):

• Three weekly flights operating on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday*

• Aircraft: Qantas A330 with 27 Business Class seats in 1-2-1 configuration (each featuring direct aisle access and converting into a lie-flat bed) and 224 Economy seats

• Flight time: Approximately 11 hours 15 minutes

• Provides connections to Cape Town and other African destinations through Qantas' partnership with Airlink

Perth-Auckland (QF111):

• Three weekly flights operating on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday

• Same A330 aircraft configuration

• Flight time: Approximately 6 hours 45 minutes

• Offers connections for West Australians to New York via Auckland

*Schedule subject to change.

Imagery and vision available here.