Qantas boosts its Kangaroo Island flights after Rex announces it will axe service
Qantas says it will double its flights to fire-ravaged Kangaroo Island, after Rex this week said it would pull out of the region because of its rival’s “abuse of market power”.
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Qantas will more than double its flights from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island after Rex announced this week it was axing its service to the region.
The company has said from July, it will begin running 12 weekly return flights, in a boost for islanders, who have been desperately trying to spread the message that the region is open for business.
Kangaroo Island Tourism Food, Wine and Beverage Association chairman Pierre Gregor said Qantas deserved “full marks” for its rapid response to the issue, including committing to extra trips during the island’s quieter winter months.
“We have four seasons and our mantra is each season has got something to offer,” Mr Gregor said.
“The fact that Qantas is prepared to double its flights from July is a great gesture and will mean a lot to the industry but also to the businesses and residents.
“It also provides us an opportunity to leverage off initiatives that the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) and Tourism Australia are doing to attract back international visitation.”
Rex announced on Monday it would cease its Adelaide to Kingscote route, sparking widespread concern on the island, which has faced a huge hit to tourism since the December and January fires.
Qantas currently runs five return flights to Kingscote during peak times and three during the quieter months, compared with Rex’s twice daily route.
Rex had complained that an “abuse of market power” by rival Qantas was forcing its hand – a claim Qantas denied, saying Rex had a history of “throwing tantrums”.
Rex said “excessive additional capacity introduced by Qantas” was killing its ability to offer a sustainable alternative in the regions.
It also complained about Qantas’s impact on its services to Whyalla and Ballina in NSW, lodging a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
QantasLink chief executive John Gissing said the carrier wanted to support Kangaroo Island’s recovery.
“Now is the time to be supporting Kangaroo Island, not deserting it,” Mr Gissing said.
“What Kangaroo Island needs over the months and years ahead is for tourists to come back and a reliable air service is vital for that to occur.”
Mr Gissing said Qantas was working closely with SATC to support its #BookThemOut campaign to boost tourism in fire-affected regions.
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Premier Steven Marshall said the move was a “terrific show of support for the Kangaroo Island community”.
“Today’s announcement will give the island and the entire SA tourism sector a major boost of confidence and will encourage more people to #BookThemOut,” Mr Marshall said.
Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly said he was “delighted” at Qantas’s response to his call for a twice-daily service.
“In four days we’ve achieved a positive result for the island,” he said.
Mr Pengilly said Qantas planned to run two return weekday services and one return service on Saturdays and Sundays. He hoped an extra service might be added on weekends during peak season.
Rex is yet to announce when it will stop its flights to Kingscote but has previously said it would allow “a reasonable period” for Qantas to increase services before pulling out.