The West Australian Government says it has guaranteed regional air services by extending the contracts of the state's main regional operators.

Skywest and Skippers Aviation have been offered a 12-month extension to their existing contracts.

Transport Minister Simon O'Brien says the extension will allow time for long-term contracts to be negotiated.

Mr O'Brien says it was important to secure aviation services for regional centres, rather than moving towards wholesale deregulation of regional airline routes.

He says the extension will be cancelled as soon as a long-term deal is struck.