Media Statement
PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA ACT 2600
Telephone: 02 6277 7680 Facsimile: 02 6273 4126
AA085/2008
9.5 MILLION MORE PASSENGERS ARE FLYING ON REGIONAL AIR ROUTES
More people than ever before are flying to and from regional Australia to visit family,
take a holiday or do business.
That’s the main finding of the most comprehensive report ever written on aviation
services beyond our capital cities which I’m releasing today: Air transport services in
regional Australia: trends and access.
Between 1984 and 2005 the annual number of passengers flying on regional air
routes rose from 6.5 million to 16 million, with growth averaging 4.4 per cent a year.
The strong passenger figures reflect the strength of many regional economies as well
as the success of the tourism marketing campaigns and more affordable ticket prices.
But the good news of an extra 9.5 million passengers flying on regional routes
is tempered by the report’s other findings:
UNEVEN GROWTH
Annual growth in passenger numbers was strongest on routes between major
cities and major tourist destinations (7.9 per cent) – routes often operated by
major airlines using high capacity aircraft. Growth on these routes – for
example, Melbourne–Hamilton Island – even exceeded the growth record on
routes between the capital cities.
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By contrast, the annual growth on routes between major cities and
other regional centres averaged 4.2 per cent; while passenger traffic
between regional centres – for example, Dubbo–Parkes – fell by an
average of 1.5 per cent a year.
LESS AIRPORTS, HALF THE ROUTES
The number of regional airports served by airlines declined from 278 to 170.
Almost half of the regional routes (401) have been cancelled – particularly
those with infrequent services, very few passengers and covering short
distances.
FEWER AIRLINES
The level of market concentration has increased over time, with fewer airlines
carrying the growing number of passengers. What’s more, of the 35 airlines
serving regional airports in 2005, only five had operated continuously since
1984.
REGIONAL AUSTRALIA AND AN AVIATION WHITE PAPER…
If regional Australia is to continue reaping the economic and social benefits of
aviation, we need to plan ahead now. As well as the long term changes outlined
above, regional services are also adversely affected by more immediate difficulties
such as a lack of pilots and rising fuel costs.
That’s why the Rudd Labor Government has announced it will develop Australia’s
first aviation White Paper to guide the industry growth over the next decade and
beyond.
Public comment is a vital part of this process and I urge all those with an interest in
the future of the Australian aviation industry to consider making a submission to the
Green Paper when it’s released in September.
The White Paper should be finalised by the middle of next year.
Reports like the one I’m releasing today will also inform the Government’s
deliberations.
More information about the development of the aviation White Paper can be found at
REGIONAL AVIATION AND LABOR’S FIRST BUDGET…
In the meantime, the Government has used its first budget to make sure remote
communities continue to receive regular, essential access to a weekly air service.
We have more than doubled funding for the Remote Air Services Subsidy (RASS)
Scheme, subsidising weekly flights for Australians living in 239 remote and isolated
areas who do not otherwise have access to a regular air service.
The flights deliver a weekly passenger and freight service. Goods delivered include
medicines, fresh food and educational materials. Australia Post uses some of the
same air operators to deliver mail. The funding boost reflects the increased cost of
flying these routes, due in part to higher fuel prices.
The Budget also invests in measures to strengthen security at regional airports.
The Air transport services in regional Australia: trends and access report will be a valuable
reference source for policy development and a benchmark for assessing future trends. More
importantly, with the development of a consistent historical database we are now able to
more accurately project future growth.
The publication was prepared by the Government’s Bureau of Infrastructure Transport and
Media Contact:
Jeff Singleton
0410 476 890
Friday, 18 July 2008
ROUTES THAT RECORDED BIGGEST RISE IN PASSENGER NUMBERS IN 2007
Change
(%)
Hamilton Island (QLD)
Melbourne (VIC)
68
Maroochydore (QLD)
Melbourne (VIC)
60
Cairns (QLD)
Melbourne (VIC)
55
Melbourne (VIC)
Williamtown (NSW)
45
Alice Springs (NT)
Melbourne (VIC)
45
Brisbane (QLD)
Williamtown (NSW)
44
Broome (WA)
Karratha (WA)
39
Katherine-Tind (NT)
Victoria River (NT)
35
Cairns (QLD)
Karumba (QLD)
34
Melbourne (VIC)
Wagga Wagga (NSW)
31
Kalkgurung (NT)
Victoria River (NT)
31
Learmonth (WA)
Perth (WA)
31
ROUTES THAT RECORDED BIGGEST FALL IN PASSENGER NUMBERS IN 2007
Change
(%)
Orange (NSW)
Parkes (NSW)
-43
Bundaberg (QLD)
Rockhampton (QLD)
-45
Broken Hill (NSW)
Sydney (NSW)
-47
Elcho Island (NT)
Maningrida (NT)
-47
Albany (WA)
Esperance (WA)
-52
Hamilton Island (QLD)
Townsville (QLD)
-56
Williamtown (NSW)
Port Macquarie (NSW)
-60
Dubbo (NSW)
Parkes (NSW)
-60
Adelaide (SA)
Kalgoorlie (WA)
-61
Coober Pedy (SA)
Olympic Dam (SA)
-61
Coffs Harbour (NSW)
Williamtown (NSW)
-64
Katherine-Tind (NT)
Tennant Creek (NT)
-80
NEWS 
