Perth Airport Sets Sights on China and India Following Record Passenger Numbers
Perth Airport (PER), co-host for the upcoming Routes Asia 2025, is basking in the success of a record-breaking year in 2023, with passenger numbers soaring to 15.3 million, surpassing the previous peak in 2014. This milestone comes even as international travel has yet to fully rebound to pre-pandemic levels, remaining around 10% lower than in 2019. However, the airport has seen remarkable growth from key markets such as India, the Philippines, and Vietnam, which now exceed their pre-COVID-19 traffic figures.
The past year has been notable for the addition of numerous international routes, with carriers like Batik Air Malaysia, Philippine Airlines, VietJet, and Vietnam Airlines launching new services to Perth. These expansions reflect Perth Airport’s strategic efforts to enhance its global connectivity, overcoming its geographical isolation in Western Australia.
Stephanie Juszkiewicz, Senior Vice President for Aviation Business Development at Perth Airport, highlighted the introduction of new routes to major Asian cities and increased frequencies to existing destinations. This momentum is expected to continue into 2024, with significant developments including seasonal services by China Eastern Airlines, a thrice-weekly route by All Nippon Airways from Tokyo, and the anticipated resumption of flights by South African Airways from Johannesburg.
Furthermore, AirAsia Berhad’s new daily route from Kuala Lumpur, set to commence on March 11, will mark the airline’s first foray into Australia, using the Airbus A321neo aircraft. This service, along with expansions by Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and a second daily flight by Emirates from Dubai, underscores the growing interest and confidence in Perth as a key aviation hub.
Perth’s unique position as the only Australian city with direct flights to the UK and Europe, courtesy of Qantas’s daily service to London Heathrow and upcoming routes to Rome and Paris, places it in an enviable position for further growth. The city is now turning its attention to developing new opportunities in the European market and eyeing strategic expansions into China and India, despite the current lack of nonstop flights to these significant markets.
With the Perth-China and Perth-India markets showing substantial passenger volumes in 2019, there’s a clear indication of the potential for growth in these routes. The partnership with Tourism Western Australia aims to leverage Routes Asia 2025 as a platform to showcase Perth’s appeal and potential to aviation and tourism professionals, reinforcing the city’s strategic importance in the Asia-Pacific region.
In preparation for future demands, Perth Airport is investing in infrastructure improvements, including the expansion of the international terminal, the development of new domestic facilities, a new runway, and additional parking spaces. These developments are part of a master plan to consolidate airport operations within the Airport Central precinct, ensuring that Perth remains well-equipped to support the region’s economic growth and tourism industry, which significantly contributes to Western Australia’s economy and employment.