On August 11, 2011, QantasLink announced it will launch services between Geraldton and Perth from November 21, 2011*. To celebrate this new route, an introductory one way, all inclusive fare of AU$99 has been released for sale from August 11-18, 2011**.

QantasLink Executive Manager, Mr Narendra Kumar said, "QantasLink is delighted to welcome Geraldton as the 56th destination to join QantasLink's ever expanding regional network."

"This service will provide the Geraldton community with unprecedented access to a range of Australian and international destinations by linking them to Qantas's extensive network," Mr Kumar said.

Flights between Geraldton and Perth will be serviced by a state-of-the-art Q400 aircraft and will operate twice a day Monday to Friday and one service per day on Saturday and Sunday.

QantasLink also announced that it will introduce its Q400 aircraft on services between Exmouth and Perth twice a week on Monday and Wednesday. This will complement existing Boeing 717 aircraft on the route which will operate on Friday and Sunday.

"We are looking forward to introducing our Q400 aircraft on these key WA routes as part of Qantas's significant investment in regional Australia. This follows our successful deployment and utilisation of this aircraft type across several destinations within Australia and Papua New Guinea."

QantasLink will also establish a new pilot and cabin crew base in Perth. The airline is currently recruiting for a team of cabin crew who will undertake a comprehensive training program covering all aspects of customer service and aircraft safety prior to the commencement of QantasLink's Western Australian Q400 services.

As the country's largest regional airline, QantasLink is embedded in regional Australia. With a network of 55 metropolitan and country destinations across all states and territories, the airline also launched its first international destination - Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea - in July 2010. Services linking Perth and Exmouth in Western Australia commenced on March 30, 2011.

QantasLink has invested more than AU$850 million in 28 new Q400 aircraft since 2006, with the current fleet of 25 to grow to 28 over the next 18 months. The airline's fleet also includes five Q200, 16 Q300 and 11 Boeing 717 aircraft.

QantasLink is also overseeing the operation of the Qantas Group's recently purchased Western Australian resources charter airline Network Aviation. Its fleet of nine aircraft is set to grow further, with the addition of a further 10 Fokker F100s.

* Subject to regulatory approval.

** Unless sold out prior. For travel between November 21 - December 14, 2011, and January 11 - March 29, 2012.

Contributed by Qantas Group.