‘Flying start’: WA celebrates return of South Africa and Thailand flights

Hoteliers and tourism businesses in Western Australia are celebrating the resumption of two major services into Perth from South Africa and Thailand.

The Australian Hotels Association (WA) said the return of these direct flights is positive news in the ongoing recovery of WA’s inbound international tourism industry and will be warmly welcomed by WA’s hotels and hospitality businesses.

“The news that direct flights into Perth from Bangkok and Johannesburg will soon resume is an outstanding start to the new year,” said AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods.

The latest additions follow a string of announcements from airlines in late 2023.

“When combined with Jetstar’s announcement in November that it will expand its operations in WA, the new direct services into Perth will make a material difference to business activity within WA’s hotels and hospitality venues,” Woods said.

“It is estimated that together, the resumption of South African Airways’ and Thai Airways’ two services will provide an additional 132,000 seats into WA each year.”

Woods commended the WA Government for its “persistent efforts” to recommence direct flights into WA, while “maintaining a focusing on new and emerging markets”.