Busselton-Margaret River air services to continue

24/7/00

Transport Minister Murray Criddle announced today that agreement had been reached with Perth charter company Skippers Aviation to take over the Busselton-Margaret River air service from Monday, July 31.
Mr Criddle said that a regular air service was an important catalyst for tourism as well as providing people living in the region with an affordable travel option to and from Perth.
"I'm not only pleased that we have been able to cover the impending withdrawal of the Maroomba service but fares will also be reduced to $99 (plus GST) for a full adult one-way fare for both Busselton and Margaret River," he said.
"The continuation of the service is the result of a co-operative partnership between several key parties, with contributions being made by the Shires of Busselton and Augusta-Margaret River, Westralia Airports Corporation, the Western Australian Tourism Commission and Transport.
"Westralia Airports Corporation have previously supported this route, and it's pleasing to see a major airport operator taking an interest in the activities of its regional counterparts."
Mr Criddle said the Shires of Busselton and Augusta-Margaret River would also contribute cash and in-kind by waiving landing fees and head taxes and assisting with the ground handling of aircraft.
"It's particularly satisfying to see local government sharing the responsibility with the State Government, forming sound partnerships to produce great results," he said.
"It's most important that this service gets ongoing support from travellers from Perth and the South-West because, unfortunately, subsidies can't be left in place indefinitely."
Mr Criddle said that Skippers Aviation was WA's biggest charter operator and an established regular passenger transport (RPT) operator in the far north of the State.
The company would operate a seven-seat, twin-engined Cessna 402 aircraft on the route, flying daily from Monday to Friday, and twice a day on Wednesday and Friday.
The Skippers terminal at Perth Airport has excellent, modern facilities with access to taxis and hire cars. Customers can book through Ansett Airlines or travel agents. Ansett frequent flyer points will be offered to customers.
Maroomba will take its 9-seater King Air off the run on Friday, July 28 because it could not operate the service within the Government subsidy structure. An average of 5.5 passengers were using the aircraft per trip but the company advised the Government that it needed eight paying passengers per trip to be viable.
The Skippers service with the smaller capacity aircraft is expected to break even at 5.5 passengers per trip.
Media contact: Doug Cunningham - 9321 7333