Perth Airport chief urges earlier train services for FIFO flight crews

Fly-in, fly-out staff have struggled to reach early morning flights because the first train to Airport Central arrives after check-in closes for many departures. Jason Waters, chief executive of Perth Airport, told a press conference that ongoing talks with the state government give him confidence the timetable will be extended as passenger demand becomes clearer. Premier Roger Cook said Transport Minister Rita Saffioti continuously reviews timetables to serve the community, citing the line’s 11 % ridership increase to 6.23 million boardings.

Meanwhile, a $5 billion airport upgrade—including a third runway, new terminal and additional facilities—will keep the airport open 24/7 during construction. Waters warned that the construction phase will bring traffic challenges but expects the unified terminal to make the train a more attractive option, especially since only 4 % of passengers currently travel by rail. He also emphasized that the project will be completed by 2031 and should not be delayed by competing state infrastructure projects.