Qantas is set to boost its international network from Perth with the launch of flights to Johannesburg and Jakarta set to take off later this year.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the routes are the latest of eight new international services the national carrier has announced since Australia’s international borders re-opened in November 2021.

From 1 November, Qantas will operate the only direct service from Perth to South Africa, operating three return flights per week on its Airbus A330 aircraft.

The flights will cut more than six hours from the fastest current travel time, with customers heading to Johannesburg from Perth currently having to fly on Qantas via Sydney, or via the Middle East.

Additionally, Qantas’ existing four flights per week from Sydney to Johannesburg on its Boeing 787 aircraft have had strong bookings since they recommenced in January this year and will increase to daily from 30 October.

From 30 November, Qantas flights will reconnect Perth with Jakarta for the first time since borders closed in March 2020, beginning with three flights per week on its Boeing 737 aircraft.

“Western Australia has become an increasingly important part of our international network and we’re really excited to be launching two more routes from Perth,” Joyce said.

“International travel demand continues to rebound as people make up for two years of closed borders. Our direct flights from Perth to London and Rome are selling really strongly, which gives us the confidence to add new routes from our western hub.”

The addition of Johannesburg and Jakarta will mean Qantas will operate international flights from Perth to five destinations including London, Rome, and Singapore.

Since borders have reopened, Qantas has now announced eight new international routes, including Perth to Rome, Darwin to Dili, Sydney to Seoul and Bengaluru, and Melbourne to Delhi and Dallas.