Rex’s flight cuts raise grave concerns for South East health services
Flights by Rex Airlines from Adelaide to Mount Gambier have gone down to one a week, raising concerns about servicing the South-East’s health needs.
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Fears have been raised for health services in the South-East, in the wake of Rex Airlines flights to Mount Gambier being cut to one a week.
Rex this week announced its weekly return flights to regional areas of South Australia would be slashed from 135 to six.
Mount Gambier services have been cut from 18 return flights a week on the previous schedule to just one.
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin said it was of great concern to the region.
“Air services are essential to Mount Gambier as the second largest city in SA, particularly at this time during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
“Coronavirus tests are transported by (Rex) to Adelaide and disruption of this service and any prolonged results of testing could lead to a potentially life threatening situation. The flights also enable doctors and medical specialists from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide to support the emergency department in the Mount Gambier hospital.”
Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast chairman Peter Gandolfi also raised fears for local health services.
“While there’s been a downturn (in air travel) during the pandemic, what’s important is that there is some transportation available, particularly for the medical profession,” he said. “It’s particularly important because a number of our hospitals are staffed by locums who come from areas outside of the Limestone Coast.”
The flight cuts have also come at a time when the Mount Gambier airport is undergoing a $9.2 million upgrade.
Grant Council Mayor Richard Sage said the council was working with Rex to try to help the airline get through the downturn, including axing its $7.50 per person passenger levy for the next six months.
Opposition regional development spokesman Eddie Hughes called on the State Government to work with its federal counterpart to provide urgent support to Rex.
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He said flights were critical to transport specialists into the region, to get residents from the area to Adelaide for appointments and also to transfer medical samples for testing.
Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the State Government understood Rex was still working with the Federal Government about how they could benefit from its $1 billion aviation rescue package.
“Regional airlines are being supported by waiving fuel excise, air service charges and regional security charges,” he said.
“We are also in discussions with Rex Airlines about how they may be able to access our economic and business funds.”