The Department of Transport has said the Regional Airfares Zone Cap (RAZC) scheme continues to grow, with regional residents using more than 37,800 capped airfares between October and December 2022.
In a statement, the Department said figure represented a 33 per cent increase on the previous quarter results of 28,439 and brought the total of zone cap fares flown since the scheme started on 1 July last year to 66,200.
“Karratha-to-Perth remained the most popular route for the second quarter, with 8,512 one-way capped fares flown — an increase of nearly 33 per cent on the route’s first quarter results of 6,404,” the statement said.
“The Kalgoorlie-to-Perth route was the second most popular with 5,371 fares flown, an increase of nearly 62 per cent on first quarter results of 3,317.”
The RAZC scheme makes regional airfares more affordable for regional residents by capping the cost of one-way flights to and from Perth at $199 or $299.
Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti said the scheme had now been running for six months, and the second-quarter figures showed it was going from strength to strength.
“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,” Ms Saffioti said.
“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 there.”
