Review of Intrastate Air Services in Western Australia

Since 2001, three reviews of intrastate air services in Western Australia have been undertaken.  The first was in 2002, following the collapse of Ansett in September 2001.  The Government of Western Australia moved to review all intrastate air services to ensure that regional centres and communities continued to receive sustainable, viable air services.

In April 2004, a second review was conducted for the Government by Tourism Futures International and the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.  The Review examined the performance of the non-jet intrastate air services and found that services and the general operating conditions had improved since 2001.  However the market was not strong enough to support open competition and it was decided that a regulated environment should prevail. The Aviation Ministerial Council accepted the recommendations of the review.  The current system of WA intrastate air services commenced on 1 January 2006 and is based on the recommendations of the 2004 review.   The National Competition Council recommended that a further review be undertaken three years after the introduction of the current system.

The latest Review of Intrastate Air Services in Western Australia commenced in March 2008 and brought together information gathered from:

• industry briefing sessions;
  
  
• a facilitated seminar with key stakeholders on 7 May 2008;
  
  
• submissions to a discussion paper;
  
  
• research into the financial feasibility of various proposed models; and
  
  
• interviews with airline operators, airport operators and businesses that are involved with the provision and use of aviation services. 

The review report provided a comprehensive, up-to-date profile of the state of regulated air services in WA with a number of proposed options being described and discussed. 
With the volatile global economy, the Minister for Transport has extended the current system of regulated air services until 30 June 2010.  This allows time for the Minister to consider the findings of the latest review, given the condition of the global economy and it also allows for any new system to be advertised and implemented.

The following publications were used to inform the Review process:

The facilitated seminar on 7 May 2008 considered the following information:

These publications are available in alternative formats upon request eg. audio tape, computer disk, large print, Braille and other languages. Contact the Department for Planning and Infrastructure on 9216 8300 or submit an online feedback form. 

Steering Committee Members

• John Fischer (Chair), Executive Director Transport Industry Policy, Transport
  
  
• John Morris (Alternate Chair), Director Maritime and Aviation Policy, Transport
  
  
• Ian Duncan, Senior Economist, WA Local Government Association
  
  
• Sharon Dignard, Senior Advisor Industry Policy, Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA
  
  
• Graham Muir, Chairman, Perth Convention Bureau
  
  
• Peter Hatton, Co-ordinator Regional Development, Transport
  
  
• Michael Palassis, Director, Stamfords Advisors and Consultants Pty Ltd
  
  
• David Parker, Director Policy and External Relations, Chamber of Minerals and Energy (part year)
  
  
• Rob Swann, Aviation Industry Consultant
  
  
• Rick Thomas, Executive Director Aviation Development, Tourism WA
  
  
• Phil D'Costa, (Project Manager), Manager Regional Passenger Transport and Aviation Policy, Transport

 Contact us

Contact the Review Team.