Strategic Airlines has announced that it will operate flights from Brisbane and Melbourne to Port Hedland from August, making it the second carrier to link major WA resources centres with the East Coast.
From August 3, the carrier will operate weekly between Brisbane and Port Hedland, with the intention of taking it to twice weekly services in the future. On the same day, the carrier will also operate its first weekly service from Melbourne to Port Hedland.
“The services between Port Hedland, Brisbane and Melbourne will provide faster and more affordable travel between the east and west coasts, give resource sector workers and regional residents greater access to these capital cities and help drive much needed human resources into the Pilbara,” said Strategic’s head of commercial Damien Vasta.
“Much has been said about the continually growing need for workers within the Pilbara and the time and difficulty those looking for work on the East Coast experience when attempting to access the region.”
The airline says that the services will be operated by an Airbus A320 in a dual class configuration of 12 business class seats and 144 economy seats. Fares, which go on sale from May 24, will start from $283 one way from Brisbane and $238 one way from Melbourne.
The direct flights to Port Hedland appear to be part of a wider trend to link major resource centres in WA with the major east coast capital cities, with Qantas recently launching direct services to Karratha from Sydney and Melbourne. Skywest is also expected to pursue similar services once it introduces its A320s into service.
