There’s a potential stoush brewing between Qantas and the WA government, with CEO Alan Joyce hinting they may move the direct flight from London to Darwin instead of Perth once international borders reopen.

Mr Joyce has flagged plans to resume some international flights when Australia starts hitting its vaccination targets in December, but some routes that used to fly from WA will likely be given to other hubs.

Strategic Aviation Solutions chairman Neil Hansford said given Mark McGowan’s policies, it would be a gamble to schedule flights that could be cancelled.

“I think McGowan’s overcooked again,” he told Gareth Parker.

“I wouldn’t be putting such a key route in the hands of the West Australian government.”

“If you live in the eastern states … the general view is he is a political opportunist, he will grab whatever he can to get WA votes, and he did.”

He said WA may remain isolated when international borders begin to reopen.

“What it’s going to mean for those in the west, is they’re going to go back to the old days, if you want to go to Europe you’re going to have to go to Singapore … or to the eastern states.”

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