Qantas Strengthens Africa-Australia Ties with New Perth-Johannesburg Route
A new era of travel between Africa and Australia is dawning as Qantas introduces a direct route between Johannesburg and Perth, commencing December 2025. This strategic move opens exciting prospects for African travel agents, offering fresh opportunities to cater to the growing demand for trans-Indian Ocean travel.
This new route signifies Qantas’s renewed commitment to the African market, building upon a rich history of serving the region since 1952. The airline recently reaffirmed its dedication by deploying the Airbus A380 on its Sydney-Johannesburg route, significantly boosting capacity and reinstating First Class service. Now, with the addition of the Perth-Johannesburg route, Qantas is poised to further enhance connectivity and cater to the evolving needs of travelers.
The Johannesburg-Perth route will operate three times a week using a state-of-the-art Airbus A330, offering a premium travel experience. The aircraft features 27 business class suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, each providing direct aisle access and lie-flat beds for optimal comfort. An additional 224 economy seats ensure ample capacity for leisure and business travelers alike.
For African travel agents, this new route presents a wealth of opportunities. The direct link between Johannesburg and Perth not only simplifies travel to Western Australia but also unlocks seamless connections to other major Australian cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide via Qantas’s extensive domestic network. This enhanced connectivity empowers agents to craft more appealing and convenient travel packages for their clients.
Furthermore, Qantas’s simultaneous launch of a direct Perth-Auckland service creates an attractive one-stop travel option to New Zealand for South African travelers. This strategic expansion of Qantas’s network in the Oceania region provides travel agents with even more flexibility and choices to curate unique travel itineraries.
The timing of this new route aligns perfectly with the post-pandemic resurgence in travel demand. Global tourism is rebounding strongly, and Africa is experiencing remarkable growth in international arrivals. Australia, too, is witnessing a surge in inbound tourism, with projections indicating continued expansion in the coming years. This positive trend creates a fertile ground for travel agents to capitalize on the increasing interest in travel between Africa and Oceania.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace expressed enthusiasm for the new route, highlighting its potential to unlock travel options for South Africans seeking to explore Australia, reconnect with loved ones, or discover new horizons. He emphasized the seamless connections to key Australian cities and the convenient one-stop access to New Zealand as key advantages for travelers.
The introduction of the Perth-Johannesburg route also carries significant implications for the broader aviation market. With Qantas and South African Airways both operating direct flights between the two countries, competition is expected to intensify, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and enhanced services for travelers. This dynamic landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for travel agents, who must stay agile and adapt their strategies to remain competitive.
In conclusion, the launch of Qantas’s new Johannesburg-Perth route marks a significant development in the Africa-Australia travel corridor. For African travel agents, this presents a golden opportunity to leverage the enhanced connectivity, cater to the growing travel demand, and curate exceptional travel experiences for their clients. By embracing innovation and adapting to the evolving market dynamics, travel agents can position themselves for success in this exciting new chapter of travel.
