Geraldton air services to be opened to full competition

Air routes between Perth and Geraldton will be opened up to full competition, in a move which will see Geraldton become a significant regional hub for air services.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said checked bag screening has been installed at Geraldton airport for extra security and to enable jet aircraft to service the city.

"Geraldton and the Mid-West region will play a significant role in the future prosperity and development of Western Australia," Mr Buswell said.

"Geraldton airport will now be able receive interstate air service, which will ensure it is well-placed to accommodate the expected growth in the north of the State, generated by key infrastructure projects such as Oakajee.

"More than 90,000 passengers use the Perth to Geraldton route each year and there is great potential to increase this number with the ability to fly jet aircraft into Geraldton, as well as the route being open to competition.

"Deregulation of this important route will give consumers choice and I'm hopeful it will also deliver benefits in pricing and scheduling."

The Minister said negotiations were nearing completion for Skippers Aviation to provide four services a week direct from Perth to Kalbarri and Monkey Mia.

"The Kalbarri and Monkey Mia services will connect these two tourist towns directly with Perth and provide much greater flexibility for tourism in the region," he said.

"The services will be in aircraft better suited to passenger numbers on the route. They will be more economically sustainable and provide more certainty of service for these two important tourist destinations."

Subject to formal agreement, Mr Buswell said he expected new operators to start flying passenger transport services into Geraldton from February 28, 2011.

Today's announcement is the culmination of a review of intrastate air services which involved comprehensive stakeholder consultation, airport-by-airport analysis and financial assessments.