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MEDIA RELEASES PASSENGERS GROUNDED THROUGH VIRTUAL AIRLINE MONOPOLY Issued 30/10/02 The best way to restore competitive and adequate airline services to Tamworth is for the State and Federal Governments to equitably share their own travel accounts with regional airlines other than Qantas, Independent candidate for Tamworth, Peter Draper, said today. He questioned the adequacy of the "boost" through abolishing some license fees to help small airlines announced yesterday by the State Government. "This is welcome, but it is just not sufficient to bring back competitive advantage for Tamworth and other regional airline passengers," he said. "Qantas has a virtual monopoly over government travel." "While a smaller carrier can carry Government traffic if the schedule suits, the reality of the situation is that Government travel bookings must be made through Qantas Travel, or through a Qantas appointed local agent who is invariably given an incentive to ensure as much government business as possible for Qantas flights." Mr Draper said there were also too many taxes and regulations on small airlines from all levels of government which was making air travel too expensive for most people in regional areas. The lack of competition had made it increasingly difficult for those who wanted to travel from Tamworth to book flights at peak times or access cheaper fares for booking in advance. "Although Qantas has not changed its fare structure it is offering far fewer advantages to travellers in our region now that it has no competition on the route," Mr Draper said. The situation was driving many Tamworth passengers away from air travel altogether, he pointed out. Many preferred to take their cars to Sydney rather than face the frustration of trying to get a seat when they needed it, even at the record high prices being charged. "It is an absurd situation and unless we encourage some competition back into the market we will continue to suffer these disadvantages," he said. "Let's see an end to this virtual monopoly, give some incentives for competition, encourage smaller airlines into the market and get regional passengers back in the air. As things stand at present more and more of them will remain grounded." End Release |