WA-Japan relationship strengthened by aviation link

• Western Australia's relationship with Japan further strengthened through meeting with All Nippon Airways
• Tokyo to Perth flights set to resume in October with three flights per week scaling up to daily flights
• The State Government, though Tourism WA, is cementing WA's reputation as the Western Gateway to the nation
  

Premier Mark McGowan has today met with All Nippon Airways (ANA) in Tokyo after the airline announced it will return to Perth skies in October 2023.

ANA's services will resume in October with three flights per week between Tokyo and Perth.

The Premier is in Japan to promote Western Australia as an ideal place to visit, study and work and to reaffirm the State's important relationship with the Northeast Asian nation.

Meetings are also taking place with other key government and business partners throughout Japan and South Korea to generate further interest in WA industries.

The State Government, through Tourism WA, has secured a number of new flight routes to Perth including the return of ANA.

Pre-pandemic, ANA offered daily services between Tokyo and Perth, with nearly 40,000 Japanese visitors injecting around $71 million into the WA economy in 2019.

The resumption of flights between Tokyo and Perth coincides with the traditional peak demand period from Japanese visitors, with 40 per cent of all visits to WA occurring between October and December.

It also mirrors the successful launch of the direct flights between Tokyo and Perth in September 2019.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"I'm pleased I was able to meet with All Nippon Airways today after they confirmed they would be bringing back flights between Tokyo to Perth later this year.

"The connection will prove invaluable not only for Western Australia's tourism sector, but also for trade, industry and international education.

"I will continue to explore opportunities to strengthen the Western Australian economy as I meet with a number of key government and business partners in Japan and South Korea."

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Roger Cook:

"The WA Government looks forward to the return of All Nippon Airways to Perth later this year which coincides with a popular time of year for Japanese visitors to travel to our state.

"ANA is an important airline partner and Japan is a significant visitor market for Western Australia, representing our eighth largest international market by number of visitors.

"We are committed to working with ANA to build on opportunities from the return of this important route which further strengthens Western Australia's reputation as the nation's Western Gateway."

Premier's office - 6552 5000

Tourism Minister's office - 6552 6500