Low-cost carrier Airnorth is the third airline to expand its network in the NT by launching a new Alice Springs to Perth route under the NT Government’s Aviation Attraction Scheme, which aims to attract new players into the local aviation market.

Territorians can fly directly to Perth from Central Australia using Airnorth’s E170 aircraft, with three return services departing Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. One-way tickets start at $253.

The new route is the first direct service between Alice Springs and Perth since 2022. Airnorth operates flights from Alice Springs to Darwin, Katherine, and Tennant Creek.

“One of the biggest challenges is getting in and out of Alice Springs because of cost, and these flights west will be very beneficial and add to the liveability of the town,” Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson said.

Airnorth chief executive Daniel Bowden said the new flights would increase the arrival of visitors in Central Australia off the back of international flights landing in Perth, including from London, Paris, and Rome.

“People can explore the south-west of Western Australia and then tag on a trip to the centre of Australia with just one flight,” Mr Bowden said.

Tourism Minister Joel Bowden said the influx of carriers entering the Territory resulted from the NT Government’s Aviation Attraction Scheme.

“Aviation access is an important part of the Territory economy, and the TAAS is helping to make this a reality with our airport partners, including Airport Development Group and Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, key in achieving this additional capacity for the Territory,” Mr Bowden said.

The scheme offers a pool of $10 million to local airports to help attract more flights into the NT, which was established to usher in competition and drive down airfare prices.

The scheme enables Darwin, Alice Springs and Uluru airports to apply for a share of the funding pool, which they need to match dollar-for-dollar, bringing a total of $20 million on offer to competing airlines.

“This is such great news for the Red Centre. We are so thankful to the airline, the Perth and Alice Springs airports and the NT Government for supporting this new route through the Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme,” Tourism Central Australia chief executive Danial Rochford said.