GOVT HEEDS McCORMACK’S CALL TO SUPPORT REGIONAL AIR SERVICES

After calling for the Federal Government to step in to save Rex Airlines’ regional services, Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has welcomed today’s announcement by the Government to guarantee regional flight bookings for Rex Airlines customers whilst under voluntary administration.

“As soon as I had heard about the trading halt of Rex Airlines shares and the subsequent placing of the company under administration, I was in contact with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Transport Minister, Catherine King, to ensure regional communities would not be disadvantaged,” Mr McCormack said.

“I explicitly called for the Government to do whatever it must, because I knew the collapse of these vital air services would result not only in economic catastrophe for many regional communities, but also in the deaths of people who no longer could access medical services in a cost-effective and timely manner.

“It was simply a matter of life and death, and something had to be done.

“The Prime Minister himself gave me an assurance the Government would act.

“I am pleased, now more than two weeks later, the Government has acted upon this call for the benefit of regional communities.

“The Government is now ensuring all regional bookings made after Rex Airlines entered voluntary administration on 30 July 2024 comes with a guarantee that the traveller will either fly or get a refund.

“This interim measure is certainly most welcomed and will ease the concerns of many travellers who have previously had their flight cancelled or plan to travel with Rex Airlines in the future.

“However, the Government must now turn its attention to finding a permanent solution to this matter. It must ensure regional communities have the confidence of knowing they will maintain affordable, efficient and effective air transport services.

“I continue to call upon the Government to consider all options available to ensure Rex Airlines’ regional services are permanently maintained.

“We must remember a decision to save these vital air services is not a decision to save Rex Airlines in and of itself, but rather it is a decision to save regional communities across Australia.

“I eagerly await further developments from the Government and will continue to advocate and work constructively to ensure a positive outcome is delivered.”