Not quite true. Skippers and Skywest were both allowed to operate Geraldton but Skippers pulled out because why go head to head on RPT when you can half fill a Bras on a contract run and get paid for the WHOLE aircraft.
Learmonth (Exmouth) is interesting. The regulation relates to NON JET ROUTES. Skywest run the F100 up there so DJ should be allowed to put on an E Jet. The whole regulated routes thing is rubbish anyway and if someone went to the federal court to challenge it they would certainly have a good chance of having it ruled unlawful as it breaches competion policy - restriction of trade. Aviation is Aus is Federally legislated so the states really should not be regulating anyway. The only reason no one has challenged the rules is that it suits Skippers and Skywest to have a cosy little duopoly...two airline agreement anyone?
