The McGowan Government is providing up to $3 million in funding to secure Regional Express (Rex) services on the regional air routes of Albany, Esperance and Carnarvon-Monkey Mia.
Securing regional aviation services is aimed at ensuring workers, such as those in health and emergency sectors, can continue to provide their vital services to regional areas.
The State Government has been working hard with airlines, local governments and airport owners, to find ways to secure a level of air services across Western Australia's many regional communities.
Many airlines, particularly smaller regional airlines such as Rex, are facing drastically reduced demand across their network due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the need to reduce services and capacity across their networks.
While there will be some disruptions to frequency and schedules for regional air services, the State Government is providing financial assistance towards maintaining essential air services provided by Rex in regional WA.
Along with State funding, local governments and airport owners are also assisting by removing or reducing fees across many airports, which is helping make these services possible in extremely trying times.
The below agreed service levels will start from April; for the full flight schedules please visit Rex's website http://www.rex.com.au/
- Perth-Albany 4 return air services per week
- Perth-Esperance 4 return air services per week
- Perth-Carnarvon-Monkey Mia 2 return air services per week
The State Government is also in discussions with Aviair about some of their regional services.
For further information please visit https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/covid-19
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Using the State's financial support, Rex will be able to provide critical air services for the regional communities of Albany, Esperance, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia.
"We recognise the importance of maintaining essential community access during these difficult times, which is why $3 million in funding is being provided to ensure a level of air services on the Albany, Esperance and Carnarvon-Monkey Mia air routes continue under Rex.
"In the current challenging times of COVID-19 there have, and will continue to be impacts on regional aviation in Western Australia.
"The State Government is doing everything it can to ensure that a minimum service level continues on regional air routes so that movement of critical people such as health and emergency professionals, and essential freight such as blood supplies and medical equipment continues.
"The State Government is working with all airlines and local governments to minimise further impact on essential air services across regional air routes for WA's many regional communities.
"The funding of Rex services on WA air routes will be reviewed after three months, with the possibility of extension."
