• McGowan Labor Government welcomes Qantas' new discounted airfares scheme for people in regional Western Australia
• Discount of up to 30 per cent available for residents in Broome, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland and Newman
• Premier calls on other airlines to follow suit
• Positive response to McGowan Labor Government's inquiry into regional airfares  

Premier Mark McGowan has welcomed the decision by Qantas to introduce a discounted airfares scheme for residents in regional Western Australia and called on other airlines to follow suit.

The McGowan Labor Government has called for action to address the high cost of airfares in regional WA and earlier this year launched a Parliamentary inquiry into the issue.

Qantas announced today that from November, it will offer a discount of up to 30 per cent on return fares for residents travelling between their local airport and Perth.

Qantas estimates savings of up to $279 on return trips from the regional airports to Perth.

The scheme will apply for passengers who reside in Broome, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland and Newman, making air travel significantly more affordable for people in these towns.

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder has also waived airport passenger charges for eligible local resident flights, enabling savings to be passed on to local residents travelling out of its airport.

The Economics and Industry Standing Committee currently undertaking the inquiry will present their report to State Parliament in late November 2017.