Qantas has added a non-stop flight to Rome to its schedule from June just days after the West Australian government announced its border opening date on February 5.
Tickets are already on sale for the new flight which will complement the direct Perth-to-London route, which is set to resume in April.
The Rome flight will operate three times a week, starting on Wednesday June 22.
“Direct flights connecting Perth with Rome will be a game-changer for WA’s economy as Western Australia safely re-engages with the world," Premier Mark McGowan said.
“Many Western Australians have family links with Italy and it will now be easier to safely reunite after so long apart."
Qantas chief corporate affairs officer Andrew McGinnes said he expected the flight to be popular with the big Italian diaspora in Western Australia.
He said interstate bookings had also seen a spike in the wake of a firm opening date for Western Australia, and the airline had responded by delaying flights that would have flown on the day before until just after midnight so they arrive very early on February 5.
"We've had really strong demand for the 5th (of February)," he said.
"People want to get there as soon as possible."
Qantas had delayed the announcement of routes In September after the WA government indicated borders would not be open for Christmas travel.
