The north-west’s regional tourism hub of Broome will soon be reconnected to Singapore, with bi-weekly direct flights to commence in June.
Direct flights between Broome and Singapore, operated by Jetstar Asia, will start on June 25 as regular seasonal services over the town’s peak tourism period.
Jetstar Asia will run bi-weekly return services on the Airbus A320 aircraft from Singapore to Broome on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with fares priced around $145.
Once up and running, the service is expected to operate from April through to October, which is Broome and the Kimberley’s peak tourism and dry season.
It comes after previous trial flights between Broome and Singapore through SilkAir in 2018 and 2019 failed to become a regular service beyond the pandemic.
But it will mark the first international flight to touch down in a regional town since the state’s borders reopened.
Broome International Airport chief executive Criag Shaw said international connections had been a long-held ambition for the local tourism industry and the BIA.
“We are extremely pleased that Jetstar Asia recognises the region’s desirability as a visitor destination,” he said.
“A partnership with a renowned operator such as Jetstar as part of the Qantas Group, with their connections into Singapore from destinations in Asia and Europe, will make Broome and the Kimberley much more accessible for international travellers.
“This connection brings Broome closer to the rest of the world and will provide fantastic holiday and travel options for residents of the north-west, looking to save time and money by flying direct to Singapore and then any number of onward destinations.”
The direct flights follow extensive negotiations between BIA and Jetstar Asia.
BIA said it had been working with the Federal Border Agencies to assist in the establishment of permanent Border Force services, subject to sign-off by federal ministers. The airport said it was a necessary component of the establishment of a new international gateway.
Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti the announcement marked a significant leap forward in expanding Western Australia’s aviation capacity.
She said the new route would provide international visitors with direct access to WA’s diverse regions, and an entirely new gateway into the state.
“This Singapore-to-Broome service presents an incredible opportunity to turbocharge international visitation to our north-west, and inject millions into the region’s accommodation, hospitality and tourism businesses,” Ms Saffioti said.
“This new international entry point into WA will provide many more itinerary options for overseas visitors from around the world – through Singapore’s Changi Airport as a major global hub – to help transform how visitors explore our magnificent state.”
The service is expected to bring almost 6,500 inbound seats to Broome in its first year.
