QantasLink Launches New Routes to Remote Indian Ocean Territories
Two of Australia’s most remote territories will soon become easier to reach for travellers. Starting 3 November 2025, QantasLink will introduce scheduled passenger flights from Perth to Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, creating a direct connection with the Indian Ocean. The services are being launched in partnership with the Australian Government to maintain essential air links for the territories, which together are home to just over 2,500 residents.
Tickets for the new routes will be released for sale on 18 August 2025. Flights will operate twice a week, departing every Monday and Friday from Terminal 1 at Perth Airport. The journeys, lasting about five hours, will be operated by Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft in an all-economy layout. For travellers, this means an easier and steadier path to places that until now required scarce flights or complicated connections.
“We’re proud to have been selected by the Australian Government to provide these essential services to the Indian Ocean Territories. QantasLink has a long history connecting remote communities across Australia, and we’re committed to delivering a reliable and warm service to customers.”
Christmas Island provides natural attractions that are rarely found elsewhere in Australia. The island is best known for the annual red crab migration, when millions of crabs move from the rainforest to the ocean, creating one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife events. Large parts of the island are protected within Christmas Island National Park, which covers more than half the territory and offers rainforest trails, birdwatching opportunities and encounters with unique species that exist only in this region.
Christmas Island is known for its wild scenery and striking nature, while the Cocos (Keeling) Islands show a completely different side of the region. The Cocos (Keeling) group consists of 27 tiny coral islands shaped into two atolls, known for their bright blue lagoons and abundant sea life that attract travellers interested in diving and snorkelling. Away from the lagoons, travellers can wander along wide sandy beaches and learn about the customs of the Cocos Malay community, a culture that gives the islands their own identity and makes them distinct within the Indian Ocean.
The launch of these flights makes both islands more accessible for tourists and those seeking adventure. Travellers now have added choices, from walking through untouched rainforests and observing rare wildlife in their natural habitat to experiencing the everyday life of small island communities. For many travellers, these new flights place once distant and hard-to-reach islands clearly onto Australia’s travel map.