Air services in Western Australia

Air Services overview and maps

Aviation in WA is essential to the economy and social and health needs of regional communities. Sustainable, affordable, safe and reliable air services. Air services are often the most efficient mode of transport for WA's dispersed communities and are also critical for mining and business operations across the State as well as bringing visitors to the regions, growing tourism markets.

The State Government considers various levels of regulation on air routes while taking into account the unique circumstances of each route, particularly the needs of community and industry. In fulfilling its role as a regulator, the State scales its response between the following regulatory options for Regular Public Transport (RPT) routes:

• Fully regulated routes are those routes where demand for RPT air services is marginal and there is a significant risk in communities not having access to an adequate level of RPT services. Fully regulated routes are established by awarding exclusive monopoly rights to one airline through a competitive tender process.
• Lightly regulated routes are those routes that receive an adequate level of RPT air services in a monopoly or duopoly airline market, but where there is community concern about the affordability and reliability of air services. These routes are lightly regulated by conditions placed on the aircraft licences, such as community engagement and provision of data.

Aircraft licensing

Governance of intrastate air routes

The Minister for Transport has powers under the Transport Coordination Act 1966 to license aircraft and place conditions on aircraft licenses to control where and when airlines may fly within the State. Any condition placed on an aircraft licence may refer to the provision of Regular Public Transport (RPT) services, charter services, or both where applicable.

The aircraft licences may be issued for up to 12 months to airlines operating within the State for commercial purposes (hire or reward), other than for medical emergency purposes. The purpose of the Act and Regulations is to ensure that Western Australians are provided, as far as is practicable, with reliable, efficient and economic transport services.

Aircraft licensing requirements

All aircraft owners operating commercial passenger services within Western Australia are required to hold a WA Aircraft Licence unless exempted under the Transport Coordination (Part III Exemptions) Order 2020.

Under the Transport Coordination Act 1966 (section 43A), a licence for an aircraft may be granted for a period of not more than 5 years or for a particular purpose of specified duration.

An aircraft is exempt from Part III of the Act if:

1. it is being operated to carry people or goods on a flight that starts and finishes at the same airport and does not land at any other airport; or
2. it is a helicopter being operated to carry people to or from their workplace and the people themselves do not pay for the flight; or
3. it is being operated solely for any of these purposes:
   1. aerial mustering;
   2. aerial spraying;
   3. crop dusting;
   4. spreading fertiliser or seed;
   5. spreading baits to control animals;
   6. aerial photography or surveying;
   7. spotting whales or fish;
   8. providing medical services;
4. it is an unmanned aircraft; or
5. it is being operated on a flight to or from an airport not listed. Refer to Transport Co-ordination Act (Part III Exemptions) Order 2020 (below) for the list of airports.

View the Transport Coordination Act (Part III Exemptions) Order 2020 (below) for more information.

How to apply for a WA Aircraft Licence?

Aircraft licence applications can be made by completing the application form downloadable below and returning it to the Department of Transport (DoT). Aircraft licences are issued by DoT free of charge.

Engaging regional WA

The Department of Transport (DoT) facilitates various regular consultation activities to be better informed and engaged with stakeholders and communities related to Regular Public Transport (RPT) air services for regional Western Australia.

Consultation on fully regulated air routes

The fully regulated RPT air routes to Albany, Esperance, Carnarvon, Monkey Mia, Laverton, Leonora, Mount Magnet, Meekatharra and Wiluna are operated under Deeds of Agreement between the airline and the State Government. Under the Deeds DoT chairs two Aviation Community Consultation Group (CCG) meetings per year for each route. During the CCGs key stakeholders meet with DoT and the operating airline to discuss airline and route performance, initiatives and partnership opportunities.

In addition, DoT chairs Stakeholder Meetings for the Derby - Broome air service and the Inter Regional Flight Network (IRFN) between Broome, Port Hedland, Karratha and Geraldton.

These discussions are vital in ensuring the air route's long-term viability and to foster potential route growth. DoT engages with the airlines regularly in relation to any issues that may occur on the air routes.

Consultation on lightly regulated air routes

Airlines operating RPT services on lightly regulated routes in WA have a condition on their aircraft licence, requiring them to regularly engage with the regional communities they service, as well as providing data to the State Government.

DoT facilitates Regional Aviation Consultation Group (RACG) meetings in 10 regional towns associated with the lightly regulated routes including, Broome, Exmouth, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Kununurra, Newman, Onslow, Paraburdoo/Tom Price and Port Hedland.

The RACG meetings are held annually to provide a forum for ongoing and direct collaboration between the State, airlines, local governments, private airport operators, tourism bodies, the resources sector, and other key stakeholders. The RACG meetings aim to identify opportunities for improving access to affordable airfares, air service recovery and route development opportunities.

Regional WA airfares and air travel survey

Throughout March and April 2024, more than 41,000 regional residents were invited to have their say on airfares and air services within Western Australia as part of a survey to inform future Department of Transport regional aviation initiatives.

A letter was posted to households in towns with flights to and from Perth, inviting them to take part in the survey. Metropolitan and regional travellers were also surveyed online and in-person at Perth Airport.

The research was conducted by Painted Dog Research on behalf of the Department of Transport.

• Aviair operates the Kununurra - Halls Creek - Balgo subsidised air services until 30 June 2026. Aviair also operates a subsidised services on the Derby - Broome route under a Deed of Agreement until 28 June 2026.
• Rex operates the Albany, Esperance, and Carnarvon - Monkey Mia air routes under Deeds of Agreement with the State Government until 2 July 2028.
• Skippers Aviation operates on the Wiluna - Meekatharra - Mount Magnet and Laverton - Leonora air routes under a Deed of Agreement with the State Government until 2 July 2028. The routes are collectively known as the Northern Goldfields routes.

Under the agreements, the airlines are required to report monthly statistics such as passenger numbers, load factors, airfares, On Time Performance (OTP) and service cancellations. DoT regularly monitors performance on these routes.

Closed charter air services

The State Government's long-standing objective has been to ensure the viability of Regular Public Transport (RPT) services for regional communities, while also seeking to meet the needs of the resources companies and minimise any cost on the resources and charter industries. Travel on closed charter air services is not available to the general public. An example would be the transport of FIFO staff for a resource company who has contracted a charter operator for their sole use.

To balance the needs of the resource industry and regional communities, the objectives of the Charter Policy are to:

• ensure charters do not detract from the viability of RPT services on marginal RPT air routes;
• reduce the impact of charters on existing RPT air services, in terms of airfare affordability and service frequency; and
• adopt a transparent approach to charters on a route-by-route basis.

For more details on charter air operations in WA please refer to the Charter Policy below.

To apply for a closed charter service on RPT routes complete the application form below and submit it to DoT via email: aviation@transport.wa.gov.au

Charter operators should note that:

• Assessment of charter applications may take 4-6 weeks.
• Charter services should not commence before the application has been assessed and approval received by way of an amended WA aircraft licence.
• Special conditions may be placed on the licence of charter operators in line with the Charter Policy.
• An application for a closed charter service operating on an RPT air route may be given a temporary approval (e.g. 3 months) while further assessment is undertaken to determine any potential impact on the RPT air service.

Review of regulated air routes in WA 2013-15

The existing 2015 State Aviation Strategy outlines the State's framework for policy setting and future planning and investment in Western Australian international and domestic air services and airport infrastructure. A copy of the report can be downloaded below.

Unmanned aircraft (drones)

If you have any enquiries about drones please contact CASA or visit their website below regarding Part 101 CASR - Unmanned aircraft and rockets.