The Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme makes air travel to and from Perth more affordable for regional residents of WA.
The scheme ensures regional airfares are capped at a maximum cost of $199 or $299 one-way.
Zone cap fares are only available to residents who live in the regions outside of Perth and Peel.
Zone cap fares:
- are for personal travel only, and
- must be booked as a return fare that departs and returns to the same regional destination.
The Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme is a joint initiative between the State Government and 6 airlines: Airnorth, Nexus Airlines, Qantas Airways, Rex, Skippers Aviation and Virgin Australia.
Zone cap fare costs
The cost of a zone cap fare is:
- $199 one way on flights from an airport within 1,000 kilometres driving distance from Perth (Zone 1) or
- $299 one way on flights departing from an airport more than 1,000 kilometres driving distance from Perth (Zone 2).
Zone cap fares are inclusive of GST and taxes.
Are there any additional costs?
Passengers can make at least one flight change free of charge when travelling on a zone cap fare up to 24 hours before the flight. Additional flight changes or changes occurring within less than 24 hours before the flight may incur a charge.
All zone cap fares include a checked and carry-on baggage allowance however allowances vary depending on the airline.
Optional extras, such as excess baggage, credit card booking fees, and in-flight meals or entertainment may have additional charges depending on the airline.
Where you can travel with a zone cap fare
Zone cap fares are available on regional air routes direct to Perth and some locations that do not offer a non-stop air route to Perth, such as Perth-Laverton-Leonora.
Zone cap fares only apply on direct or triangulated flights to Perth and are not available for connecting flights booked as separate tickets.
See the table below for eligible locations.
ZONE 1: $199 one-way ($398 for a return trip inclusive of GST and taxes)
| Airport | Airline |
|---|---|
|
Albany |
Rex |
|
Carnarvon |
Rex |
|
Esperance |
Rex |
|
Geraldton |
Nexus Airlines and Qantas Airways |
|
Kalgoorlie |
Nexus Airlines and Qantas Airways |
|
Laverton* |
Skippers Aviation |
|
Leonora* |
Skippers Aviation |
|
Meekatharra |
Skippers Aviation |
|
Monkey Mia (Denham)* |
Rex |
|
Mount Magnet* |
Skippers Aviation |
|
Wiluna* |
Skippers Aviation |
* * Air services on these routes may not be direct to Perth but are still eligible for the Zone cap fare.
ZONE 2: $299 one-way ($598 for a return trip inclusive of GST and taxes)
| Airport | Airline |
|---|---|
|
Broome |
Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia |
|
Exmouth (Learmonth) |
Qantas Airways |
|
Karratha |
Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia |
|
Kununurra |
Airnorth and Virgin Australia |
|
Newman |
Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia |
|
Paraburdoo |
Qantas Airways |
|
Port Hedland |
Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia |
How to book a zone cap fare
You can book a zone cap fare through the participating airline:
- Airnorth - call 1800 627 474.
- Nexus Airlines book online with Nexus or call (08) 6155 4500.
- Qantas Airways: book online with Qantas or call 13 13 13. (You will need to join the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, which is free of charge for regional residents.) Rex: book online with Rex. (Select the resident fare option when booking)
- Skippers Aviation: call 1300 729 924.
- Virgin Australia: book online with Virgin Australia , you will need to join the Velocity Frequent Flyer program (the program is free of charge for regional residents) or call 13 67 89.
Booking conditions
- Zone cap fares must be booked as a return fare.
- The specific terms and conditions of zone cap fare vary between airlines.
- Some resident fares are non-refundable. Check with the airline before booking your flight.
Frequently asked questions
You can make one flight change free of charge when travelling on a zone cap fare up to 24 hours before departure.
Some airlines may offer additional changes, with or without a fee. Check the terms and conditions of your fare before you book.
In most cases, there is no limit to the number of zone cap fares you can book.
Where an airline does have a limit on the number of zone cap fares, you can choose to fly with another airline if there is more than one airline operating on the route.
Zone cap fares apply all year-round, including during peak times, such as public and school holidays, subject to seat availability.
Some airlines use their loyalty or resident program to establish and check if you are eligible for the zone cap fare.
If you are not a member of an airline’s resident fare program and need to travel urgently, contact the airline to find out what fare options may be available
Yes, you can choose to book a cheaper fare if available. Airlines may offer promotional, community and other sale fares that could be cheaper than the zone cap fare.