02-07-2025
WA government hails success of regional airfare cap after figures show over half a million flights taken
The Western Australian government has hailed figures showing more than half a million passengers have taken advantage of price capped airfares between Perth and regional areas.
The Regional Airfare Zone Cap (RZAC) was introduced by the McGowan government in July 2022, with the aim of making air travel between Perth and regional areas like Pilbara and the Kimberley more affordable to residents.
A total of 543,747 flights have been booked under the RAZC scheme since it was launched, prompting the Cook government to invest a further $109 million into what it describes as a key cost of living measure.
That figure includes $4 million for a six-month extension of the scheme announced in January, which will keep it in place until June 2026.
State Transport Minister Rita Saffotti said the extension of the scheme was putting more money back into the hip pockets of families living in regional areas of WA.
"To have passed the half a million milestone on the number of fares flown shows that the Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme has delivered a practical and popular solution to the long-running concern of affordable airfares for regional residents,' she said.
"This scheme is saving regional families thousands of dollars and giving people peace of mind that if they need to travel for urgent family or personal reasons, they won't be stung with high prices.
"Our commitment to the scheme has ensured it continues to provide cost-of-living relief to people who have built a life in the regions, reducing their isolation and giving them the security of year-round capped pricing to visit Perth for personal reasons."
The RAZC was launched in conjunction with the WA Government and 6 airlines including Qantas, Virgin Australia and struggling regional airline, Rex, which collapsed into administration last year.
Under the RAZC, the cost of a zone cap fare is $199 one way on flights from an airport within 1,000 kilometres driving distance from Perth (Zone 1) or $299 one way on flights departing from an airport more than 1,000 kilometres driving distance from Perth (Zone 2), including taxes and GST.
