- Aviair appointed to provide regular air services between Derby and Broome until June 2026
- State Government investing $1.5 million over two years to support the service
- Announcement follows $67.5 million Kimberley Resilience Program funding package
Air services connecting Kimberley communities have been secured for a further two years, with the appointment of Aviair to operate regular public transport (RPT) air services between Derby and Broome until June 2026.
The appointment is the result of a competitive tender process and will allow Aviair to maintain four weekly return services on the route, subsidised by State Government funding of $1.5 million over two-years, with airfares set at $139 one-way.
Aviair has serviced the route with financial support from the State Government since August 2021, and also links Derby travellers to Perth via connecting flights from Broome.
The State Government also supports the Kununurra-Halls Creek-Balgo and Broome-Fitzroy Crossing-Halls Creek air services.
In early 2023, additional State Government funding temporarily increased flights on the route to up to 35 per week when flooding caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie cut off road access between the two towns.
The flights provided vital access for the community, emergency services and recovery support.
This builds on existing Government support for regional Western Australians, including the flagship Regional Airfare Zone Cap (RAZC) scheme, which caps the cost of airfares for regional residents year-round at $199 or $299 one-way on return flights to Perth.
The airline appointment also follows the Cook Government's $67.5 million Kimberley Resilience Program funding package announced as part of the 2024-25 State Budget, which includes an $8 million allocation to upgrade airstrips in remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley.
A further $2.5 million has been committed to upgrade the East Kimberley Regional Airport at Kununurra as part of $21.3 million in upgrades to regional airports and airstrips.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Reliable air services are absolutely critical to communities in the Kimberley region, which is why our Government established these routes and continues to support them.
"Securing Aviair for the next two years on the Derby-Broome route means people living in these communities can continue accessing essential services and business opportunities.
"Of course, we know this part of the State is also prone to extreme weather events, and we've seen over the past couple of years how crucial aviation is in reducing isolation and helping with recovery efforts.
"That's why as part of our $67.5 million Kimberley Resilience Program, we're also investing $8 million to renew airstrips at remote Aboriginal communities, to ensure they're safe, operational and continue keeping communities connected."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"The continued support of this air route builds on the Cook Government's significant investment in aviation services and infrastructure for the Kimberley region, including Aboriginal communities.
"Access to reliable air services is so vital in this region because it ensures people can access critical services while also keeping communities connected."
