PERTH– Qantas (QF) will discontinue its flights between Perth (PER) and Busselton (BQB) from October 6, 2025, citing persistently low demand. The new route was launched on June 27, 2025, and operated three flights per week.
The service was expected to carry more than 15,000 passengers annually, but average load factors stayed under 20 per cent. Tickets for the return journey were being sold at around AUD 450, which was considered steep for many potential travelers.
Photo: By Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61147715Qantas Suspends Perth to Busselton Flights
Qantas announced that it will stop serving the route the following month, after operating for just over three months. It stated that passenger numbers remained below projections despite efforts to promote the route.
The airline also confirmed that the Perth-Busselton service was financially backed by the Western Australian government through its Aviation Recovery Fund. According to abc.net.au, local travel agents reported very few bookings, with some saying they had not received any inquiries for the service.
A Busselton-based consultant said only one client had used the route since its launch. Regional stakeholders expressed disappointment, noting hopes for improved connectivity and economic gains for South West WA.
Photo: By Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61167403Route Performance Metrics
Flights ran at less than 20 per cent capacity on average, far short of what was needed for viability. Qantas had forecasted about 31,000 available seats annually between Perth and Busselton. The fare pricing and competition from road travel also contributed to low uptake.
Customers holding tickets for the Perth-Busselton route can rebook, obtain credit, or request refunds per Qantas’s commercial policy. Jetstar’s direct services to Busselton from Sydney and Melbourne will continue.
According to the carrier:
Where the flight has been affected, the agent should reshop and select an alternative flight using waiver code 412241 and waiver type ‘AdcolChangeFee’. The Qantas NDC commercial policy workflow will automatically waiver the additional fare/taxes and change fee or the change fee only.
For people who have already booked a flight on this route for after October 6, 2025, and are looking to apply for a refund, they must cancel the Qantas NDC booking and retain the ticket. The carrier says:
Refund applications must be submitted as a manual refund request via BSPlink or ARC with reference to the authority provided in the commercial policy to waive any applicable fees.
Photo: By Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61167408Bottom Line
Observers suggest that launching the route in winter may have harmed demand since busier tourism seasons occur later. Also, road improvements like the Wilman Wadandi Highway, which cuts travel time, may reduce travellers’ motivation to fly.
Qantas and regional leaders must evaluate pricing, schedule frequency, and marketing before any future reinstatement of the route. Passenger behaviour, regional infrastructure, and tourism viability all play critical roles.
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