About the Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme
The Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme makes air travel to and from Perth more affordable for regional residents of WA.
For bookings and travel from 1 July 2026, regional airfares will be capped at a maximum cost of $199 or $299 one-way for low demand flights and $265 or $385 for high demand flights, depending on the regional location.
Participating airlines can choose to offer fares less than the set zone cap maximum prices. Capped airfare prices offered by participating airlines on regional routes will be published on this site when updated scheme bookings open in early 2026.
Regional residents are encouraged to book early and compare prices on routes where more than one airline operates to secure the lowest zone cap fare.
Zone cap fares are only available to residents who live in the regions outside of Perth and Peel.
Zone cap fares:
- are for personal travel only
- must be booked as a return fare that departs and returns to the same regional destination
- have an annual 12 trip limit per person
The Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme is a joint initiative between the State Government and 6 airlines: Airnorth, Nexus Airlines, Qantas Airways, Rex, Skippers Aviation and Virgin Australia.
Bookings and travel remain open under the current pricing and conditions of the scheme until 30 June 2026.
Zone cap fare costs
The maximum cost of a zone cap fare for travel from 1 July 2026 onwards for flights from an airport within 1,000 kilometres driving distance from Perth (Zone 1) is:
- $199 one way for low demand flights or $265 one way for high demand flights and for last minute travel.
The maximum cost of a zone cap fare for travel from 1 July 2026 onwards for flights from an airport more than 1,000 kilometres driving distance from Perth (Zone 2) is:
- $299 one way for low demand flights or $385 one way for high demand flights and for last minute travel.
Zone cap fares are inclusive of GST and taxes.
Are there any additional costs?
Passengers can make at least one flight change with no change fee when travelling on a zone cap fare up to 24 hours before the flight. Additional flight changes or changes occurring within less than 24 hours before the flight may incur a charge.
All zone cap fares include a checked and carry-on baggage allowance however allowances vary depending on the airline.
Optional extras, such as excess baggage, credit card booking fees, and in-flight meals or entertainment may have additional charges depending on the airline.
Where you can travel with a zone cap fare
Zone cap fares are available on regional air routes direct to Perth and some locations that do not offer a non-stop air route to Perth, such as Perth-Laverton-Leonora.
Zone cap fares only apply on direct or triangulated flights to Perth and are not available for connecting flights booked as separate tickets.
Maximum zone cap prices from regional locations are listed below. Participating airlines may choose to offer cheaper zone cap fares. Zone cap route prices offered by individual airlines will be displayed on this site when bookings open under the updated scheme.
ZONE 1 – flights from an airport within 1,000km driving distance from Perth
These flights include: Albany, Carnarvon, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, *Laverton, *Leonora, Meekatharra, *Monkey Mia (Denham), *Mount Magnet, *Wiluna.
*Air services on these routes may not be direct to Perth.
Low demand flights
$199 maximum one way
Applicable for travel from 1 July 2026 onwards.
Bookings open early 2026.
High demand flights
$265 maximum one way
Applicable for travel from 1 July 2026 onwards.
Bookings open early 2026.
ZONE 2 – flights from an airport more than 1,000km driving distance from Perth
These flights include: Broome, Exmouth (Learmonth), Karratha, Kununurra, Newman, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland.
Low demand flights
$299 maximum one way
Applicable for travel from 1 July 2026 onwards.
Bookings open early 2026.
High demand flights
$385 maximum one way
Applicable for travel from 1 July 2026 onwards.
Bookings open early 2026.
How to book a zone cap fare
Bookings will be available early next year through participating airlines.
Frequently asked questions
You can make one flight change with no change fee when travelling on a zone cap fare up to 24 hours before departure.
Some airlines may offer additional changes, with or without a fee. Check the terms and conditions of your fare before you book.
An annual 12 trip limit per person applies to zone cap fares.
Yes, subject to seat availability. There are different zone cap maximums for low demand periods and high demand/last minute travel:
For zone 1 travel from regional locations less than 1,000 km from Perth the maximum zone cap fare is $199 one way for low demand flights and $265 one way for high demand flights and last minute travel.
For zone 2 travel from regional locations more than 1,000 km from Perth the maximum zone cap fare is $299 one way for low demand flights and $385 one way for high demand flights and last minute travel.
Zone cap fares mean you will never pay more than the high demand one-way capped price on any flight.
High-demand periods include school holidays, peak travel seasons, and popular FIFO travel times.
Low-demand periods are outside these peak times and offer the best opportunity for lower fares.
A last minute booking is made in less than 48 hours from a scheduled flight time.
Some airlines use their loyalty or resident program to establish and check if you are eligible for the zone cap fare.
If you are not a member of an airline’s resident fare program and need to travel urgently, contact the airline to find out what fare options may be available.
Yes, you can choose to book a cheaper fare if available. Airlines may offer promotional, community and other sale fares that could be cheaper than the zone cap fare.