Edition 34
February 25, 2021
NorthernRiversTimes
Ph: 1300 679 787
by Halden Boyd LISMORE City Council has asked Regional Express to re-consider its decision to cease flights between Lismore and Sydney via Grafton and request local Federal and State Members of Parliament assist in lobbying REX to re-instate the flights. The regional airline announced that five services, including its Lismore and Grafton services would cease once government support through the Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) programme is discontinued at the end of March. The RANS programme was introduced last year to ensure regional communities continued to receive essential air services after operating shortfalls from dropping passenger numbers because of the COVID-19 crisis. Lismore mayor Vanessa Ekins said Lismore and REX have had a strong and mutually beneficial relationship over the last 30 years since it started the Lismore - Sydney route in 1991 as Hazelton Airlines, and that the airline had served the Northern Rivers community well.
Regional Express will depart the Northern Rivers at the end of March. “As a measure of goodwill, Lismore City Council waived airport fees during COVID to support the airline through this challenging time for the entire aviation industry,” she said. “The reinstatement of flights is particularly important now as REX’s new routes linking capital cities provides an opportunity for the Lismore community to link their flight to Sydney with connecting flights to other cities.” “This will benefit both REX and our community.”
“Although passenger numbers travelling to and from Lismore have decreased over time due to the expansion of Ballina Airport, numbers in recent years have stabilised and the new route through Grafton has good patronage.” “Most Lismore passengers come from the Lismore region and areas to the west of Lismore, and prefer to fly out of Lismore rather than Ballina.” “Direct flights to and from Sydney are very important
to the Lismore economy. Lismore hosts Southern Cross University, Lismore Base Hospital, regional law courts, regional sports facilities, large events, the tourist hotspot of Nimbin and a significant number of businesses that rely on the airport to stay connected.” “The REX passenger flight services also provides jobs for local people such as checkin and baggage handling, cleaning, airport inspectors and Refueller as well related
service jobs.” “The REX flights are also important to get goods in and out or Lismore with a significant volume of freight being transported in the body of the aircraft. “We hope that this situation can be resolved soon.” At the end of March, Regional Express flights from Sydney to Bathurst, Cooma, Grafton, and Lismore are all axed, with the Adelaide - Kangaroo Island service in South Australia ceasing as well.
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