Air service levels in Albany and Esperance receive boost

• More flights now available on Albany and Esperance to Perth routes
• Number of flights to increase by up to 20 per cent per week
• Flights operated by Rex Airlines under a Deed of Agreement with the State Government
• Three-month trial of increased services will run until 30 June this year
  

The State Government has today welcomed news that Rex Airlines is providing additional weekly return flights on regulated air services between Esperance and Perth, and Albany and Perth.

Over the past 12 months, Esperance recorded its highest ever demand in the history of the route, with 54,500 passengers taking to the air.

Weekly return services on the Albany to Perth route have increased from 20 to 24, while the weekly return services on the Esperance to Perth route have increased from 18 to 21.

On the Albany route, additional flights on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, will mean every weekday will now have four return services, as well as an extra Sunday return service.

On the Esperance route, an additional return service on both Mondays and Fridays have been added, as well as an extra weekend service.

The additional services will be available until the end of June as part of a three-month trial.

Both Esperance and Albany residents are eligible to fly on Rex return services to Perth under the State Government's Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme, which reduces the maximum airfares for residents of these towns to $199 one way. Zone Cap airfares are for personal travel only.

More than 66,200 capped airfares were flown in the first six months of the Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme, saving regional families millions of dollars.

For further information on Rex Airlines schedules, visit www.rex.com.au

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"The State Government is committed to working with our aviation partners to ensure the community has affordable, efficient and effective regional air services.

"This is a show of goodwill by Rex Airlines to these communities that have been impacted by recent flight disruptions and responds to the surging demand for air services in these regions.

"With additional flights now available, it also means there is more capacity for people to make the most of our Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme, which is saving regional families thousands of dollars."

Comments attributed to Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:

"I know there have been some recent challenges with air travel to and from Albany, but this is fantastic news for residents, with more flights now available.

"Albany locals need to travel to Perth regularly for a whole range of reasons, and having more flights will provide greater flexibility, while our capped airfare scheme ensures we're not paying a premium for those flights."

Comments attributed to Agricultural Region MLC Shelley Payne:

"There has been significant demand for air travel to and from Esperance in the past 12 months, and this is a crucial service for our community. I welcome this announcement from Rex to increase the number of Esperance to Perth return flights from 18 to 21 per week.

"We know there have been difficulties with disruptions to air services in the past few months, and I'm pleased the Minister has raised these issues directly with Rex. This increase in services signals the strong intent to ensure the needs of our community are met."

Minister's office - 6552 5500