Busselton Secures Direct Flights to the Eastern States

Published on 04 October 2019

Jetstar announced today that it will commence direct flights to and from the Busselton Margaret River Airport (BMRA) next year. This is exciting news for the Busselton community and the broader South West region.

Jetstar will operate a day time service three times a week with the first flight into Busselton earmarked to arrive in March next year. Bookings to and from Tullamarine Airport Melbourne will open in October 2019 and are expected to be competitively priced.

City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said that while the airport upgrade project has met many milestones since planning commenced in 2010, securing of a regular passenger transport (RPT) service to the facility was particularly exciting.

“This new and direct route to Melbourne opens up a world of possibilities for local, national and international travellers and will generate income and create jobs in tourism and tourism related industries across the South West and the State more broadly.  The City of Busselton has invested significant time, energy and resources in developing this new facility which will provide long-term benefits to our fast-growing community.  Securing an RPT service is an excellent outcome.”

Mayor Henley acknowledged that attracting an RPT service to the facility has been a long and complicated process. 

“Negotiations with Jetstar have been ongoing for the better part of 18 months and we commend them for their due diligence. It is a complex undertaking and one that must demonstrate positive outcomes for all parties before it can progress.  The City and Jetstar have undertaken very careful analysis around this new route and today’s announcement demonstrates Jetstar’s faith in and commitment to South West Western Australia as a viable destination spot.”  

The airport upgrade project has benefited from generous funding opportunities and has been undertaken in partnership with the Australian Government and Western Australian State Government. The State Government contributed $44.5 million through Royalties for Regions and $10 million through the Regional Airports Development Scheme to fund a new terminal, with $500,000 already going towards terminal procurement, including planning and terminal design.  The Australian Government contributed $9.78 million towards the development and $1.35 million towards a dedicated air freight hub within the airport precinct. The City of Busselton has contributed $9.1 million and the South West Development Commission and Tourism WA have contributed $300,000 and $250,000 respectively.  Stakeholders including neighbouring Local Governments, Australia’s South West and the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association have also contributed to a special marketing fund to help raise the profile of the facility. 

“Without all these partnerships the project would not have been achieved,” Mayor Henley said.

Visit www.jetstar.com booking and flight information.

The Objectives out lined in this media release are aligned to Key Goal Area 5 in the City of Busselton’s Strategic Community Plan (Review 2019): Transport networks that are smart, connective and accessible.

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