Media Release 2004-05-25
MEDIA RELEASE
25 May 2004
SKYWEST JETS INTO EXMOUTH, LINKS CORAL COAST TO KIMBERLEY
Skywest Airlines is launching a jet service between Perth and Exmouth in a move that significantly improves services to the Coral Coast, one of Western Australia's premier tourist destinations.
The jet service will also fly between Exmouth and Broome, providing vital tourist infrastructure and representing a major attraction for inbound tourism operators.
Skywest's new Coral Coast schedule will be effective from the beginning of June and will enable passengers to fly from Perth to Learmonth (the nearby airport servicing Exmouth) in one hour and forty five minutes..
The new service will operate on Thursday and Sundays, flying a 97 seater Fokker 100, with connecting flights to Broome. Daily Fokker 50 flights will continue on the other five days of the week - Monday through Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays.
Skywest CEO Scott Henderson said the increased services offered multi destination opportunities in two of WA's important tourism regions.
"As part of our dedication to servicing regional WA, we are committed to bringing enhanced services to the North West," said Mr Henderson.
"WA has some of the most outstanding tourism attractions in the world but the reality is that tourists find it incredibly difficult to see them in a single itinerary.
"The introduction of the jet service is a major step forward in this regard and reinforces Skywest's belief in the Exmouth region as a premier tourist destination."
Skywest expects strong support for the jet flights, providing Exmouth with the opportunity to build further tourist traffic during its high season. The service will be introduced on a trial basis from 3 June 2004, and will run through until 31 October 2004.
Demand for the jet service will then be assessed and a decision will be made on the viability of continuing the Learmonth jet service.
Mr Henderson said that Skywest had worked closely with Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan and the State Government to develop air routes that benefited Western Australians and promoted tourism, especially with overseas visitors.
Mr Henderson said plans were being developed to offer packages aligned with holiday operators in both destinations.
Skydeals between Perth and Exmouth start at $199 one way and can be purchased on the Company's web site,
www.skywest.com.au.
Skywest currently flies to 13 destinations and has recently signed an interline agreement with Emirates, the world's fastest-growing intercontinental airline.
The Emirates arrangement allows international travellers to fly for example from Munich to Exmouth , as well as a large range of other international destinations, on one ticket.
End of Press Release.