❓ A parliamentary question seeks details on Tourism WA's efforts to secure direct flights to Kununurra. The answer details actions taken and meetings held with airlines, primarily Virgin Australia, to improve air access to the region.
AnsweredQoN 5239Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Minister's media statement on 26 May 2019 'Kununurra poised to receive direct flights from Melbourne', and I ask, since 12 March 2017: (a) What specific actions, discussions or negotiations did Tourism WA take, and with whom, to try and secure an airline to Kununurra; and (b) How many times did Tourism WA hold face-to-face meetings with airlines regarding securing flights to the East Kimberley Regional Airport and what were the dates of these meetings?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 August 2019
Responded by
Minister for Tourism
Response time
7 days
(a) The East Kimberley Marketing Group (EKMG) has led negotiations to secure interstate flights to Kununurra, supported by Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA). Specific activity undertaken by Tourism WA since 12 March 2017 has included:
· Co-funding the EKMG Marketing Analysis and Plan supporting the development of the Melbourne – Kununurra route;
· Providing additional intelligence to enable EKMG to approach the most appropriate airline and east coast location for direct air access to Kununurra;
· Discussing potential for interstate flight opportunities between the east coast and Kununurra at meetings with Virgin Australia and Alliance Airlines throughout 2017, 2018 and 2019 as part of Tourism WA’s discussions with airlines on aviation development opportunities across the State; and
· Confirming cooperative marketing support to drive visitation into the State once interstate flights between Melbourne and Kununurra commence;
(b) Twelve face-to-face meetings were held with Australian carriers since 12 March 2017. These meetings were not solely focussed on Kununurra/interstate flights but general in nature covering intrastate and other flight opportunities involving Virgin Australia.
Airline
Date
Virgin Australia
12-15 June 2017
Virgin Australia
1-2 August 2017
Virgin Australia
23-26 September 2017
Virgin Australia
18-20 March 2018
Virgin Australia
1-2 August 2018
Alliance Airlines
20 August 2018
Virgin Australia
15-18 September 2018
Virgin Australia
2 April 2019
Virgin Australia
4 April 2019
Virgin Australia
21 May 2019
Virgin Australia/Alliance Airlines
21 May 2019
Virgin Australia
19 June 2019
· Co-funding the EKMG Marketing Analysis and Plan supporting the development of the Melbourne – Kununurra route;
· Providing additional intelligence to enable EKMG to approach the most appropriate airline and east coast location for direct air access to Kununurra;
· Discussing potential for interstate flight opportunities between the east coast and Kununurra at meetings with Virgin Australia and Alliance Airlines throughout 2017, 2018 and 2019 as part of Tourism WA’s discussions with airlines on aviation development opportunities across the State; and
· Confirming cooperative marketing support to drive visitation into the State once interstate flights between Melbourne and Kununurra commence;
(b) Twelve face-to-face meetings were held with Australian carriers since 12 March 2017. These meetings were not solely focussed on Kununurra/interstate flights but general in nature covering intrastate and other flight opportunities involving Virgin Australia.
Airline
Date
Virgin Australia
12-15 June 2017
Virgin Australia
1-2 August 2017
Virgin Australia
23-26 September 2017
Virgin Australia
18-20 March 2018
Virgin Australia
1-2 August 2018
Alliance Airlines
20 August 2018
Virgin Australia
15-18 September 2018
Virgin Australia
2 April 2019
Virgin Australia
4 April 2019
Virgin Australia
21 May 2019
Virgin Australia/Alliance Airlines
21 May 2019
Virgin Australia
19 June 2019
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