Griffith Business Chamber have lodged a submission to parliament slamming the high costs of flights to and from Griffith; and renewing their calls for the installation of security at Griffith Airport as a means to boost airline competition and lower fares.
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A Senate committee is currently investigating the operation, regulation and funding of flights to rural Australia; and will provide recommendations to government on 30 March 2018.
It is investigating issues such as how airlines determine how much fares cost; and how much competition there is between airlines on regional routes.
Griffith Business Chamber’ submission, lodged by its president Paul Pierotti, is highly critical of Griffith air services – where Regional Express (REX) provides the only passenger service, daily flights to and from Sydney.
The Chamber submission provides a snapshot of daily REX fares, which show a one-way flight to Sydney as high as $493.90.
“Weight restrictions with luggage, vision restrictions especially with fog, limited seat availability and limited cargo belly opportunities and do not allow for the economic and social growth we are experiencing,” the submission states.
The Chamber calls for the installation of airport security as a means of attracting other airlines to Griffith, which they say will increase services and lower fares through more competition.
Federal government regulation states aircraft weighing more than 20 tonnes warrant security screening at regional airports, meaning most airlines are not be able to fly to and from Griffith at present.
“Until we have security we will not attract new airlines for Griffith - Melbourne or any other important routes,” Chamber states.
Last year, Griffith City Council, REX and some aviation experts rejected Chamber calls to prioritise the funding of security installation at the airport.
Rob Robillard, of agricultural aerial service Aerocare, expressed doubt over whether airport security would really bring in other airlines.
“I think we’re lucky to have REX. There’s only a limited number of people who want fly to out of here. We had flights to Melbourne before and that wasn’t sustainable.”
The Business Chamber submission has asked whether there may be a role for government to step in, given market forces are restricting travel options for Griffins.
“As Griffith has limited specialist medical facilities and no universities or further major education facilities, it is extremely important to our region that passenger transport options are improved”.
“I have always wondered why local, state and federal governments were always willing to heavily subsidise road and rail transport and infrastructure but mostly discuss ‘user pays’ with public passenger air transport”.
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