Number: 2021/15
Date of Issue: 04/11/2021
Review Date: 30/06/2025
Policy
The Government requires departments and other public sector agencies to use regular public transport air services (where available) when travelling to regional and remote communities throughout Western Australia.
Exemptions to this policy can be made when the cost per passenger to use a closed charter flight is less than the cost per passenger to use a public service, and when air travel by a department or agency must be undertaken in an emergency.
Background
Aviation services are important for Western Australia’s social and economic wellbeing.
The Western Australian State Aviation Strategy supports the Government’s vision to maintain and develop quality air services that are essential to regional and remote communities.
The Review of Regulated Regular Public Transport Air Routes in Western Australia, released in 2015, committed to a policy to support the ongoing social and economic development of communities through safe, affordable, efficient and effective aviation services.
The Government’s position is to balance a light-handed approach to regulation of air routes with the need to maintain marginal air services for regional and remote towns. The policy objectives include:
- ensuring an adequate level of regular public transport air services on regional routes in WA;
- ensuring charter air services do not detract from the viability of regular public transport air services; and
- minimising direct costs to the State.
However, there continues to be a high volume of air charter traffic operating on some regular public transport air routes, a significant proportion of which is being generated by Government departments and agencies.
Greater and more consistent use of public air transport by departments and agencies will help fulfil the Government’s objective to maintain an adequate level of regular public transport air services to remote and regional towns to ensure their continued social and economic wellbeing.
Mark McGowan MLA
PREMIER
Other relevant Circulars: N/A
Circular/s replaced by this Circular: 2019/03, 2016/04
