Premier announces details of airline contingency plans

4/9/01
The State Government is working with Qantas to put contingency plans in place to minimise disruptions caused by the suspension of Ansett air services, Premier Geoff Gallop said today.
"We have been working with Qantas on a plan that could be put in place in the event that Ansett suspended flights, though it was not until the early hours of this morning that we received notification that there would be no Ansett flights from today," Dr Gallop said.
"Naturally, I am very concerned for the many employees of Ansett here in Western Australia, who now face a very uncertain future.
"The plan we worked out will see QantasLink putting on additional services in order to maintain jet services to key regional centres, commencing at midday today.
"A number of other operators based at Perth Airport will also help by providing supplementary services to a number of centres previously serviced by Ansett and Skywest.
"Qantas have advised that they can meet, for the next few days, about 66 per cent of Ansett and Skywest's passenger capacity.
"Plans are also being made for longer-term arrangements to ensure we can maintain good air services throughout the State.
"Our focus will remain on ensuring that regional centres continue to receive regular, reliable air services.
Dr Gallop said Qantas had also indicated they would put Boeing 747 services into Perth to help uplift stranded Ansett passengers from other capital cities.
"The Federal Government has also advised that they will provide financial assistance for Ansett passengers who have found themselves stranded, in the form of free flights to their home cities," he said.
The State Government has a working group in place that includes representatives of Qantas to ensure that all issues regarding air services to regional WA are addressed, and to provide whatever services are necessary.
"We will also be working closely with the Commonwealth to facilitate the introduction of additional aviation companies to assist with the movement of passengers throughout WA," Dr Gallop said.
Media contact: Kieran Murphy 9222 7234

Qantas Airways have confirmed the following schedule for Western Australia:
Dash 8 Aircraft: Operated by Skippers Aviation
JW 9091 Depart: Perth 1220 Arrive: Geraldton 1320
JW 9092 Depart: Geraldton 1350 Arrive: Perth 1450
Dash 8 Aircraft: Operated by Skippers Aviation
JW 9031 Depart: Perth 1400 Arrive: Mt Keith 1545
JW 9032 Depart: Mt Keith 1515 Arrive: Perth 1800
Dash 8 Aircraft: Operated by Skippers Aviation
JW 9101 Depart: Perth 1545 Arrive: Geraldton 1645
JW 9102 Depart: Geraldton 1645 Arrive: Perth 1815
Dash 8 Aircraft: Operated by Skippers Aviation
JW 9081 Depart: Perth 1830 Arrive: Leinster 2000
JW 9082 Depart: Leinster 2030 Arrive: Perth 2200
Dash 8 Aircraft: Operated by Skippers Aviation
JW 9111 Depart: Perth 1900 Arrive: Leinster 2030
JW 9112 Depart: Leinster 2100 Arrive: Perth 2230
Metro Aircraft: Operated by Skippers Aviation
JW 9001 Depart: Perth 1910 Arrive: Albany 2010
JW 2040 Depart: Albany 2040 Arrive: Perth 2140
Brasilia Aircraft: Operated by Skippers Aviation
JW 9021 Depart: Perth 1930 Arrive: Esperance 2050
JW 9022 Depart: Esperance 2120 Arrive: Perth 2245
QantasLink will operate the following services:
British Aerospace Aircraft 143- Capacity 87 seats
QF 1820 Depart: Perth 2000 Arrive: Port Hedland 2215
QF 1821 Depart: Port Hedland 2245Arrive: Perth 0100
British Aerospace Aircraft 141 - Capacity 64 seats
QF 1822 Depart: Perth 1140 Arrive: Kalgoorlie 1250
QF 1823 Depart: Kalgoorlie 1315 Arrive: Perth 1425
QF 1896 Depart: Perth 1450 Arrive: Kalgoorlie 1600 (delay)
QF 1824 Depart: Perth 1945 Arrive: Karratha 2200
QF 1825 Depart: Karratha 2230 Arrive: Perth 0045
AR7 Aircraft RJ70 - Capacity 64 seats
QF 1826 Depart: Perth 2000 Arrive: Mt Newman 2150
QF 1827 Depart: Mt Newman 2220 Arrive: Perth 0010
Dash 8 aircraft - Capacity 36 seats
QF 1827 Depart: Perth 1945 Arrive: Kalgoorlie 2115
QF 1829 Depart: Kalgoorlie 2145 Arrive: Perth 2315

For further inquiries contact:
Qantas Regional General Manager Western Australia, Ian Gay, phone 92258201 or email: igay@qantas.com.au
QantasLink General Manager, Grant Pitman, phone 92258383 or email: gpitman@qantas.com.au