Qantas estimates these routes will add more than 150,000 seats to and from Perth annually, expanding Western Australia’s connectivity.

Qantas launched non-stop Airbus A330 services from Perth to Johannesburg and Perth to Auckland, operating three times weekly.

Two new direct Perth-to-Johannesburg and Perth-to-Auckland flights were introduced this week in opposite directions, labeled QF65 and QF111 respectively.

Perth-to-Auckland (QF111) operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, with about six hours and 45 minutes of flight time on the same A330 configuration.

The new services support South Africa’s MICE strategy by easing access for international delegates to major events like Meetings Africa 2026 and Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026, while aligning with plans for large events such as the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

Qantas already operates non-stop international services from Perth to London, Paris, Singapore, and a seasonal Rome service; the new routes expand that network.

Australian outbound tourism to South Africa is rising, with 2025 arrivals up nearly 30% from the prior year and above pre-COVID levels, and the new flight is expected to boost this growth further.

Qantas, working with the Gauteng Tourism Authority and South African Tourism, is pursuing joint marketing and partnerships to stimulate demand and ensure long-term success of the route.

The route enhances connectivity and is expected to ease travel for leisure, business, education, and events, reducing travel barriers between Australia and South Africa.

The route is part of a broader surge in long-haul capacity, with international seats rising by about 9% to 8.5 million, including 4.6 million long-haul, signaling recovery in South Africa’s aviation sector.

Officials expect the Johannesburg–Perth link to boost tourism, attract international visitors, spur economic activity, and position South Africa as a premier destination for sport, business, and leisure travel.

The new routes are anticipated to bring roughly 80,000 additional passengers to Western Australia annually.

Government funding to bolster border and biosecurity capacity at airports enabled Perth Airport to accommodate more international flights.

Australian government officials highlighted the routes’ importance for family connections, tourism, and economic ties for Perth and Western Australia.

Inaugural passengers included former South African resident Joe Oosthuizen and family, visiting Johannesburg for the first time in over a decade.

Qantas notes the Johannesburg route allows connections to Cape Town via its Airlink partnership in South Africa.

These services supplement existing connections to Auckland and Johannesburg via Air New Zealand and South African Airways, expanding Perth’s international reach.

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said there has been strong customer response since the routes were announced, with the inaugural Johannesburg flight nearly full and continued positive forward bookings.

Wallace described the inaugural flight as a significant milestone, with most seats booked.

The Johannesburg service resumes with Auckland as a starting point for the Auckland–Perth–Johannesburg journey, with QF65 departing Perth on December 7 after originating as QF112 from Auckland.

The Johannesburg service cuts travel time for Perth residents, reducing typical travel duration from about 24 hours with layovers to roughly 11 hours.