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The West Australian government has refused to confirm that regional airfare prices will not increase, amid concern from residents trying to book airfares in advance. The Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme was introduced to make travel more affordable for regional WA residents, capping flight costs to Perth at $199 one way for flights within 1,000 kilometres, or $299 one way for flights more than 1,000km from WA's capital. The scheme is due to end on June 30, 2026, and Karratha residents trying to book airfares beyond that date have been dismayed to find a return flight to Perth costing more than $1,000, compared to the current cost of about $600. Closer to Perth, Kalgoorlie flights had increased to $340 beyond the scheme's end — $141 more than flights before. Flights more than $1,000 Karratha resident and grandmother, Helen Hall, said the scheme was the only way she could afford flights to Perth to care for her mother-in-law. "Being a senior citizen, it impacts living in Karratha," Ms Hall said. "I've lived here for over 30-plus years now and just the cost of living with the cost of home insurance, landlord insurance, private health … and then residential affairs trying to fly to Perth to care for my 92-year-old mother-in-law. "I'm having to do trips down to Perth quite regularly to check on her and to care for her, so it has a big impact. Minister will not promise no price increase In a statement, WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the state government was "incredibly proud" of the scheme, but stopped short of answering questions about the price beyond June 30. "The community can rest assured the scheme will be continuing beyond 30 June 2026," Ms Saffioti said. "As has been outlined previously, we've been undertaking a review into the scheme to ensure it is delivering for regional communities, and we look forward to making some important announcements before the end of the year." Ms Saffioti did not confirm whether the caps would remain the same after the scheme's extension. The biggest contributor to regional livability Former Karratha mayor Peter Long has lived in WA's north west for more than 30 years and said the discounted flights were a game changer. "It's really been the single biggest thing the state government has done for the regions," he said. "I think it's a huge contributor to livability in the regions and particularly for us in the north, a typical airfare was over $1,000." Mr Long said he would not be surprised to see a small adjustment to the price for inflation. "It's been the same, I think, for three years, so it's not unreasonable that it goes up a little bit and I don't think that would be a problem if it goes up 5 or 10 per cent, but if it goes up 30 or 50 per cent, that would be terrible." Virgin and Qantas have been contacted for comment.
