Skywest Airlines has released figures showing a 65 per cent increase in regional passenger numbers in the past financial year.
Skywest Airlines has released figures showing a 65 per cent increase in regional passenger numbers in the past financial year.
Passenger numbers to the tourist hub of Broome increased 75 per cent during the year, Kalgoorlie 57 per cent, Port Hedland 46 per cent, and Karratha 33 per cent.
Tourism Council of Western Australia president Ron Buckey said the North West had experienced a bumper season and there had been significant increases in tourism in the region.
“People are probably a little reluctant to holiday in Asia, and no doubt the competition on airfares between Virgin, Qantas and Skywest has generated a lot of extra passengers,” Mr Buckey told WA Business News.
“Skywest also has a deal with Emirates for add-on fares for travellers from Europe, which are very competitive.
“Work is being done in Broome and Exmouth to increase accommodation capacity to keep up with numbers.”
Skywest managing director Scott Henderson attributed the increase in passenger numbers to a building of the airline’s routes and the lowering of fares across the airline’s network.
“Strong operating performance over the past 12 months has enabled us to invest in the expansion of both the Fokker 50 turboprop and the Fokker 100 jet services,” Mr Henderson said.
“The result has been an additional five new routes with the majority of passenger increases being seen in flights to the North-West and the Goldfields.
“The figures reinforce the opportunity that local tourism has to encourage Western Australians and visitors to explore the State and help build tourism across all regions.
“It is important that Western Australia has a dedicated regional airline that links this State to international markets and provides global reach to international tourists.”
Mr Henderson said the airline’s business strategy to embrace and stimulate tourism development would bring benefits to the wider communities of regional WA.
Skywest’s plans to list on the Australian Stock Exchange would greatly assist the company pursue new growth opportunities and provide new access to capital not previously available to the company, he said.
