Perth Airport sues Qantas for millions over unpaid fees
Perth Airport has taken legal action against Qantas claiming it is owed more than $11 million in airport fees.
The airport filed papers in the Western Australian Supreme Court to recover fees for the past six months which it says Qantas owes.
It is part of a simmering row between the airport and carrier over the cost of accessing runways and other airport infrastructure.
A previous agreement ended in June and no new agreement was reached.
Despite this Perth Airport said it started billing Qantas at a ‘significant price reduction’ on the previous fees.
"Despite the reduced price offered, Qantas unilaterally decide to short-pay these invoices by around 40%," the airport said in a statement.
"The amount now outstanding totals approximately $11.3 million which constitutes a material amount of revenue and is not sustainable."
Airport management claims it billed Qantas $27.8 million for fees through October 31 but only received $16.5 million.
Qantas defended its actions, saying Perth is one of the country’s most expensive airports.
"Without agreement or reasonable justification, Perth Airport has been sending us invoices for higher fees and charges, when these were already too high to begin with," said Qantas domestic airlines CEO, Andrew David.
"While negotiations have been taking place, we have continued to pay Perth Airport, just not at the unjustified rates they have proposed.
"We are willing to pay fair and reasonable charges but want to ensure that our customers are not paying more in airport charges than is absolutely necessary."
The airport said the legal spat will not compromise airport operations or impact passengers.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt