Darwin-based Airnorth will launch a non-stop, three-times-a-week service between Alice Springs and Perth starting March 2024.

The airline will be flying the new route on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays using its E170 aircraft, adding nearly 12,000 inbound seats annually.

The announcement follows Bonza kicking off its Melbourne – Alice Springs route this week.

“We think there’s a real foundation there from the stats that we’ve seen,” Airnorth chief executive Daniel Bowden said about the Perth route. “I think Qantas successfully flew that route for many years and we’re looking to pick it back up.”

Qantas stopped servicing the Perth to Alice Springs route 18 months ago.

Mr Bowden said the added flights would help raise international visitation in Central Australia off the back of international flights landing in Perth, including from London, Paris and Rome.

“People can explore the southwest of Western Australia and then tag on a trip to the centre of Australia with just one flight. Currently, they’ve got to go via Adelaide or up to Darwin, or even to the east coast to come back to Alice,” he said.

“One flight makes a huge difference in someone’s itinerary.”

The airline currently services Darwin, Perth, Kununurra, and Broome routes.

Airnorth’s new flights will be packaged to boost travellers from the east coast to continue to Perth from Alice Springs. The package is also expected to entice foreign travellers to come into Australia through Perth and continue to Alice Springs.

The NT Government’s Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme (TAAS) is contributing towards the new flights, which offers $10 million to local airports to aid in attracting additional flights into the NT.

TAAS also aims to increase airline competition in the NT, which is expected to result in lower airfares.

Airnorth’s announcement coincides with Bonza’s launching of its new Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Alice Springs route, which opened more than 38,000 seats.

Bonza’s new Melbourne to Alice Springs route operates Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Capiteq Pty Limited, trading as Airnorth, operates scheduled and charter services in the NT, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, and East Timor.