Go west! Virgin Australia’s historic Launceston-Perth flight takes-off tonight.

Key points:

• For the first time in Launceston Airport’s 90-year history, travellers can fly non-stop to Perth on regular commercial services thanks to Virgin Australia.
• Seasonal flights will operate three times per week, departing Launceston on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays before moving to daily operations from 13 December 2021 for Christmas School Holidays.
• Prior to COVID-19, Tasmania welcomed 57,900 visitors from Western Australia, with an average spend of $2,389 per visitor during their stay in Tasmania (source Tasmanian Visitor Survey, YE December 2019).

Northern Tasmania will have unprecedented access to Western Australia when Virgin Australia’s non-stop flights from Launceston to Perth launch this evening.

For the first time in Launceston Airport history, the two cities will be connected by regular commercial air services, with an initial three flights per week increasing to daily for Christmas School holidays to meet pent-up demand.

Flights will depart Launceston at 9:50pm on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.

From 13 December 2021, the airline’s schedule will increase to daily services with the airline’s Saturday departures moving to an earlier time of 5:40pm.

The services are scheduled to run until 30 January 2022.

Launceston Airport CEO Shane O’Hare said Virgin’s new offering will help reunite loved ones, stimulate tourism and support local jobs.

“There’s plenty of excitement about the new route, which will help connect people like never before, while creating greater convenience for the region’s FIFO workers,” he said.

“Aussies are being encouraged to explore their own backyard and this new route is sure to reinvigorate tourism both locally and in Western Australia.

“Launceston Airport is ready to welcome more guests and the increase in visitation will directly flow onto local businesses, tourism operators, and into the state’s wider economy.”

Virgin Australia Group Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Alistair Hartley said Virgin Australia is now operating more Tasmanian services than at any time in its history. "Virgin Australia is proud to be expanding our network and operating the first direct service between Launceston and Perth in Launceston Airport's 90-year history. "This brand-new seasonal service will allow thousands of people to connect with their loved ones this Christmas, and enable more of our experienced team members to return to the skies. "To give passengers confidence when booking, Virgin Australia has waived all applicable change fees and allows for unlimited changes for all bookings between now and 30 April 2022."