TI & AD Man, interesting comments WUD & CEE run.
The situation on that run is more complex than you realise.
Firstly in 1990 WW were running 3 rtn flights a week, just prior to closing down they were running 9 rtn flts a week, over this time the airfare ramained the same, pass. numbers increased from 2.6 to 8 over this time, well and truly covering increased costs.
When ASA started so did the GST, fuel prices had sky-rocketed and the Aus$ had plummeted so the airfare had to be increased dramatically!
As a result of the Appeals Tribunal turn around times had to be greatly increased leading to changes in the timetable.
Also was the problem of a new operater not fully understanding the needs of the people on that route, and different pilots every week.
The majority of the pass. want to go from the EP to Adelaide for the day, for meetings or medical appointments. To arrive in Ad at 10.30am is useless, they have to go the night before and pay accomadation or take the Bus.
Lastly, yes some people were shell shocked, and with aircraft running up to 1.5hrs late fears were only hightened.
The only answer to the problem is to start again, base a pilot and aircraft at Wudinna and build the service up again. Who can afford to do that and where do you find a pilot happy to live in the bush?