A Nexus Q400 landing at Kununurra. Photo: Nexus Airlines.
The Western Australian Government has promised more than $5 million in its upcoming 2026-27 State Budget to support accessible and affordable air services in its regional communities.
In the budget due to be handed down on 7 May, the government says, it will extend subsidy support on key state-regulated regional routes, allowing airlines to maintain connectivity for regional communities through regular services.
These subsidies will include $3.8 million for Nexus Airlines to continue operations of the Inter-Regional Flight Network (IRFN), which provides direct links between Geraldton, Karratha, Port Hedland and Broome, removing the need for passengers to travel via Perth.
The government says the IRFN has supported the growth of Geraldton and Broome as key service centres by directly linking them to the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) mining hubs in the Pilbara while improving access for other work-related, family and medical travel and boosting tourism opportunities.
Additionally, the government will allocate more than $1.3 million to support Aviair’s Kununurra-Halls Creek-Balgo and Derby-Broome services. This is aimed at maintaining vital links for residents in the remote Kimberley for healthcare and other essential services, and reducing isolation for remote communities when seasonal flooding disrupts road access.
The extra funding comes on top of a government commitment to cover additional fuel costs for airlines operating on these critical inter-regional routes, including Aviair-operated services between Derby-Broome, Broome-Fitzroy Crossing-Halls Creek, Kununurra-Halls Creek-Balgo and Kununurra-Kalumburu, and Nexus’s Geraldton-Karratha-Port Hedland-Broome service.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the government was committed to supporting these inter-regional air routes so the state’s regional communities could stay connected to essential services, job opportunities and family.
“This investment builds on our commitment to cover rising jet fuel costs for airlines operating on important intra-regional routes and ensuring fares under the Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme are maintained, so regional residents aren’t hit with higher costs,” she said.
“These measures are ensuring air travel remains affordable and accessible for regional families while ensuring tourists can discover our great state and support our regional economies.”
Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson added: “Travel between regional cities and communities is crucial for local economies, enabling residents to conduct business, access medical care, and benefit from tourism.
“These services provide direct travel options, saving both time and money by eliminating the need to fly through Perth.
“With this funding, the government aims to keep these important services flying.”
Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna welcomed the announcement, saying the government was proud to be delivering more funding to maintain these services.
“Providing flights between regional towns ensures people living in remote parts of the Kimberley can access essential services more easily, saving time and money,” she said.
“Affordable and reliable air travel is critical to supporting the growth of our regional communities and economies.”
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel said the move would help keep air travel affordable for regional communities and ensure tourists could still visit.
“By improving flight connections between the Mid-West, Kimberley and Pilbara, we are supporting regional economies and ensuring locals can stay connected to family, job opportunities and essential services,” he said.
