Qantas and Perth Airport have signed a 12-year commercial agreement that will unlock a multi-billion-dollar wave of investment and transform Western Australia into a major domestic and international hub for both Qantas and Jetstar.
The hub will significantly enhance inbound tourism and give Australians more options when travelling to Asia, Africa, India and Europe.
As part of the agreement, Perth Airport will invest around A$3 billion (US$1.99 billion) in new terminal facilities and a new parallel runway which is expected to be open in 2028. This will form part of a A$5 billion capital investment programme by the airport, which will also deliver two multi-storey carparks, major access roadworks, and the airport’s first hotel.
Both Qantas and Jetstar will relocate all services to a new terminal in the Airport Central precinct, and will also invest in new aircraft. Qantas also plans to build a new engineering hangar in the Airport Central precinct.
In addition, Perth Airport will also invest in upgrades to Terminals 3 and 4, which will enable Qantas to add services and more destinations from Perth, including Auckland and Johannesburg from mid-2025. The works will also include gate upgrades to accommodate ultra-longhaul aircraft, including the airline’s Project Sunrise Airbus A350s which arrive from 2026 – both Qantas and Jetstar plan to add 4.4 million seats to and from Perth annually by the time the new terminal opens in 2031.
The new terminal will offer passengers seamless domestic and international transfer, check-in and bag drop facilities. Both Qantas and Perth Airport will work on plans for a multi-lounge precinct for international and domestic passengers with a new signature design and bespoke dining and wellness initiatives.
“This is the largest airport infrastructure deal in our history. It will enable us to create a world-class western hub and significantly expand our domestic and international services over the short, medium and long term,” commented Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson, adding that the additional services will help create around 700 new jobs in Western Australia across pilots, crew, engineering and airport staff.
Perth Airport CEO Jason Waters shared: “This is a special moment in the history of aviation in Western Australia as this agreement will unlock the future for both Perth Airport and Qantas. Most importantly, it will deliver one airport for the people of Western Australia which will host all flight services giving them a seamless, world class travel experience.”
