Extra costs to protect against terrorism could ultimately cost airline passengers

A SECURITY overhaul for airports is not fully funded, the Home Affairs Department has confirmed, leading to fears of more regional route closures.

• Regional airports can’t afford to implement new anti-terror measures
• Whistleblowers warn of weapons passing security checks

A SECURITY overhaul for airports is not fully funded, the Home Affairs Department has confirmed, leading to fears of more regional route closures.

The Advertiser revealed earlier this month that Rex Airlines was reducing its services to Mt Gambier. The local health service had warned that flight changes and cancellations were leaving patients without doctors.

Rex blamed “very scarce resources” for the scaleback.

A Senate inquiry is investigating regional air services and has heard claims of escalating costs hitting regional airlines, with everyone blaming everyone else for the increases.

Meanwhile Government moves to increase security at regional airports because of terror threats could be the last straw for already overstretched companies.

The Federal Government has announced just over $50 million to help airports with security upgrades.

But this week the Department said that was for technology and infrastructure – not ongoing costs.

Rex Airlines blamed “very scarce resources” for the scaleback of Mt Gambier services. Picture: AAP/Emma Brasier

Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick, at an estimates hearing this week, said to department Deputy Secretary Paul Grigson that he presumed the cost “does not cover the ongoing operation and maintenance of that equipment”.

“That’s right,” Mr Grigson responded.

Senator Patrick said most regional airports had very little spare cash to cover the increased cost of security.

“The Government has funded the screening equipment but not funded the more significant and ongoing operating costs, which smaller regional airline operators will struggle to meet without passing on a higher cost to passengers,” he told The Advertiser.

He expressed surprise Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Michael McCormack “has allowed this to happen.”

Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

Mr Grigson said the Government did not “want to force upon industry any greater costs than is necessary”.

“But at the end of the day, if there’s a decision made that there’s a risk that needs to be mitigated, that’s the cost of doing business,” he said. “I think the Government has recognised that for regional airports this is higher than it is for some other airports which is why they’ve made the capital assistance available.”

Home Affairs told the Senate inquiry that the evolving nature of terrorism was testing the nation’s aviation security.

New measures to be introduced will include advanced X-ray machines, the use of body scanners and extra counter-terror police.