COMMUNITIES in Page will welcome the Government introducing assistance for regional passenger flights through the Enroute Charges Payment Scheme.
Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, praised the Government’s decision to open applications for the Scheme this month, with airlines like Rex, able to claim for eligible services flown since 1 July 2014.
“We are fulfilling our election promise by introducing the new Scheme to support our regional and remote communities,” Mr Hogan said.
“The Government will deliver $1 million each year over the next four years to assist scheduled passenger services. This is on top of the annual $1 million per year allocated to supporting vital aeromedical services, such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
“Airlines like Rex can apply for assistance for scheduled passenger services on routes carrying up to 15,000 passengers per year using aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 15 tonnes.
“Part of the new Scheme will go towards funding new routes to communities that currently have no passenger services, so we can better connect our population to health and other professional services, as well as providing essential links for doing business in the region.
“The remoteness of many of our communities in Page makes adequate air services essential and our new scheme ensures that our assistance is targeted to where it is needed most.
“The introduction of the Scheme reaffirms that we are strengthening Australia’s regions with better transport networks.”
Airlines can submit applications at any time, with guidelines and application forms for the Scheme available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/regional.
