Anti-terrorism measures ‘threaten’ regional air services, senator, councils claim
New airport security measures threaten to make services at some regional airports unviable, Senator Rex Patrick says, after moving to block regulations in Parliament.
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NEW anti-terrorism measures at regional airports threaten to make servicing some areas unviable, says Senator Rex Patrick, who launched a bid to block the changes in Parliament.
Mr Patrick has moved a disallowance motion against new regulations that make way for the extra security measures, such as explosive detectors and body and baggage scanners.
Federal grants will help pay for the equipment costs but councils, which manage regional airports, will have to foot the annual operational bills of up to $840,000.
Mr Patrick says councils will have to either raise rates or pass on the costs to airlines through increased landing fees, which could dissuade some companies from flying into the regions.
“Air travel is the life blood of these communities,” he said.
“It’s how people get to appointments, operate businesses and see their families.
“If you take that away you’ll have doctors leaving town or won’t be able to get locums in and that will cause people to leave town.”
He says the Federal Government, not councils, should bear the cost of the changes.
The measures apply to passengers on planes with 40 or more seats, and are expected to affect Whyalla and Port Lincoln airports.
The Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Reference Committee investigated air route service delivery in the regions last year, its report noting that Qantas had raised concerns the extra costs could place some services in jeopardy.
Lower Eyre Peninsula Council operates Port Lincoln Airport – the largest regional terminal in SA.
Mayor Jo-Anne Quigley said the new screening equipment would cost about $1 million, which would be covered by federal grants, and operating costs would total about $800,000, or about $10 or $20 per passenger.
“It would be the airlines paying that and whether airlines choose to absorb that money or put fees up accordingly to cover that cost would be up to them,” Mrs Quigley said.
“It certainly is a concern because it’s the uncertainty about what the reaction will be from consumers and how that’s going to manifest into passenger numbers.
Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin said operating costs for the new security infrastructure would total about $840,000 per year.
“We are worried that there will be a possible impact on remote communities, businesses, tourism, health and industry,” she said.
“We believe these costs should not be borne by councils or regional communities.”
Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly understood the region’s airport was exempt from the security measures.
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A spokesman for the Home Affairs department said the Government had allocated $50 million towards the cost of the new equipment.
“The new security requirements strike a balance between security and the impact on the aviation sector, including regional aviation,” the spokesman said.
Rex executive chairman Lim Kim Hai said the new requirements were unlikely to affect the airline. Qantas declined to comment.