SC from the Australian:
Rex chief Lim Kim Hai warns more regional airlines at risk
AUSTRALIA's biggest independent regional carrier has warned of more regional airline failures in an industry in dire straits after six years of "neglect and oppressive policies'' under Labor.
Regional Express executive chairman Lim Kim Hai said the failure of Canberra-based Brindabella Airlines demonstrated the toxicity of an aviation climate that had put regional aviation in danger of irreversible terminal decline.
He called on Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss to deliver the election promises in his aviation action plan, including the reversal of "disastrous policies'' such as carbon tax, reducing compliance costs and reintroduction of the en-route rebate scheme.
"If nothing significant is achieved within the next three months, Brindabella's collapse could well be a precursor of more to come in the regional sector,'' he said. "It would be ironic if the decimation and collapse of regional aviation in Australia took place under the Nationals' watch.''
Travel plans for Brindabella Airlines customers across regional NSW have been thrown into chaos after the airline was placed into receivership and its flights suspended indefinitely yesterday.
The fate of 140 workers at the Canberra-based regional carrier is also uncertain as administrators KordaMentha seek expressions of interest for the troubled airline over the holidays.
The move comes after the aviation safety regulator grounded another six of the airline's turboprop fleet last week for failing to carry out required safety inspections on engines.
The airline operated up to 250 flights using 10 planes to destinations that included Brisbane, Canberra, Cobar, Coffs Harbour, Moree, Mudgee, Newcastle and Sydney.
Brindabella's bad performance in recent months raised the ire of the communities it served and prompted Qantas to suspend its codeshare arrangement last month after four aircraft were grounded because of engine inspection overruns.
Two of those planes were allowed back in the air but last week's decision to ground a further six meant eight of the airline's planes were out of action.
Receiver David Winterbottom said the airline would no longer be accepting bookings and all further flights were cancelled indefinitely while the receivers sought expressions of interest from potential buyers.
Qantas and Virgin Australia have both introduced special relief fares for Brindabella customers and Mr Winterbottom said Qantas had started providing additional services on some Brindabella routes.
Mr Lim said Rex was drawing up plans to provide emergency services to some communities no longer serviced by Brindabella " if and when" Transport NSW removed licensing restrictions. It was also providing its cheapest fares to Brindabella customers.
"Rex will also do its best to alleviate the difficulties and uncertainties of Brindabella staff affected during this festive period,'' he said. "Already we are being inundated by job applications and we will be doing our utmost to confirm job opportunities for interested applicants before Christmas."
So maybe follow the Lib/Nat government's lead and blame it all on the former Labor government..??
The National Library of Australia pays tribute to Brindabella:
Farewell Brindabella Air, "a successful regional airline" as reported in Australian Aviation 2005.
