Three weeks after Mr Jones’ parents died in NZ from medical complications within the same month, he learnt he had won a $2000 holiday to Kota Kinabalu from Malaysia Airlines.
‘The last time we were overseas it was twice for family because of deaths in the family, so not exactly holidays,’ he said.
‘My mother died from motor neuron disease and not long after my father had a heart attack.’
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READ NOWMr Jones, who has also been fighting prostate cancer all year with radiation treatment, said he was excited to learn about the prize.
‘We have to use it by March so we are hoping to go away in February,’ he said.
Perth Airport executive general manager corporate affairs Fiona Lander said she was delighted to notify Mr Jones of his prize.
‘We extend our warmest congratulations to Mr Jones,’ she said.
‘Perth Airport is proud that West Australians enjoy a great range of direct travel opportunities.’
Ms Lander said they recently expanded the reach to South-east Asia when Jetstar launched Australia’s first direct flight to Lombok in September, offering four services each week from Perth.
‘Ahead of Tourism Malaysia’s Visit Malaysia Year in 2014, approximately 295,000 passengers travelled between Perth and Malaysia in 2013, flying on two non-stop services each week,’ she said.
‘We look forward to further growth as more customers embrace the convenient holiday destinations, shopping and adventure travel options available in South-east Asia.’