The Western Australian government has called on more airlines to launch a non-stop service from London to Perth.
Qantas’ first direct Perth-bound flight from the capital took off on Sunday (March 25), creating the only direct air link between Europe and Australia.
More than 200 passengers flew on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service which was operated by four pilots.
Although Western Australia premier Mark McGowan said no other lines other than Qantas had expressed an interest in launching their direct London to Perth service, he hoped that would change in the future.
Speaking at STA Travel’s office in Victoria, central London, he said: “It is only Qantas at the moment but if there was competition in the market place we would welcome that.
“I am unaware of any other [lines], but Qantas is the only airline to have done it.”
He added that the direct flight was “a great opportunity” to visit Western Australia or for those coming from Australia to travel to the UK.
Paul Papalia, the tourism minister for Western Australia, said retired travellers and backpackers were expected to be the principal demographics to fly on Qantas’ direct Perth-bound service.
McGowan added: “We are not limiting ourselves but a direct flight probably appeals to a lot of people.”