Qantas has marked a major milestone in strengthening its western international network, launching new direct services that connect Perth with Auckland and Johannesburg. The expanded links reinforce Perth’s growing role as a strategic long-haul gateway and offer travellers more seamless access between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The inaugural rotation took place on Sunday, when an Airbus A330-200 operated flight QF112 from Auckland to Perth before continuing onwards to Johannesburg as QF65. This new routing not only enhances connectivity but also positions Perth as a key transit point for passengers heading between Oceania and Southern Africa.

According to Qantas, the addition of these flights will inject more than 150,000 seats into the network each year. This increase provides expanded travel options for leisure and business passengers alike, while also strengthening tourism, trade and cultural links across the three countries.

The move forms part of Qantas’ broader strategy to grow its long-haul footprint out of Western Australia, driven by strong demand and the state’s geographic advantage for international operations. With direct services now linking Perth to both Auckland and Johannesburg, travellers can expect shorter journey times, improved convenience and a significant boost in route flexibility.

As the airline continues to build its global reach, these new connections highlight Qantas’ confidence in Perth’s role as a world-class international hub – and open the door to new opportunities across the South Pacific and African regions.