Hon. Louise Kingston questions the Minister for Transport regarding REX Airlines' implementation of the regional airfare cap, specifically the requirement for return flight bookings. The Minister's response clarifies the scheme's governance and terminology.

AnsweredQoN 1232Legislative Council
Asked
17 October 2024
Portfolio
Transport

QuestionView source ↗

REX AIRLINES — REGIONAL ROUTES
1232. Hon LOUISE KINGSTON to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I refer to a recent reel on
Facebook posted by local member for Albany Rebecca Stephens, MLA, that claims,
according to my notes —
Roger Cook and WA Labor have
introduced a regional airfare cap. One-way airfares less than 1 000km to Perth
are capped at $199. One-way airfares more than 1000km to Perth are capped at
$299.
REX Airlines advises that
government regulations allow passengers to access those fares only if they book
a return flight, and family circumstances do not always require a return flight.
(1) Why is the
Premier touting cheap regional one-way fares when passengers cannot book a one-way
flight?
(2) When will the
minister clarify with REX Airlines that it also needs to provide one-way fares
at this price?
(3) If the
minister cannot, why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I
thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I answer on behalf
of the Minister for Emergency Services.
(1)–(3) From 1 July 2022, regional residents in Western Australia
have had access to capped airfares for travel to Perth under the regional airfare zone cap scheme, the first program of
its kind in Australia. The requirement to book a return fare is part of
the governance requirements of the scheme, ensuring only eligible regional
residents can access the zone cap fare. The reference to one-way fares in
advertising for the scheme is consistent with the aviation industry's
terminology when referring to regional and/or domestic airfares.

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