And so it happens time and time again. Perhaps, (tongue firmly in cheek), another way could be to have the busy routes subsidize the smaller routes, and didn't we once have meaningful regional subsidies and lower en route charges. Something Barnaby should chase up. (I honestly think it's beyond Truss).
A woman from Griffith rang me the other day with a sick kid (ongoing non life threatening treatments with head injury), that had to get to Westmead. The cost was prohibitive to her and her only option was a two day plus two night stop over in Sydney by train. Angel Flight needed at least 8 days notice and she wasn't eligible for ambulance transfer. Even if she was, they would have to make their own way home. She could get some cash back via government travel claim, but had to stump up and wait about a month for partial reimbursement. If she lived in Sydney, she just needed to catch a train or bus, but because she can't afford to live in Sydney, she lives in the bush. I loaned her the money, although I think it was a donation. He's a good kid.
It seems important for politicians to get high speed broadband to the bush, but travel subsidies that airlines have to pass on, aren't fashionable. Forgive me if I sound cynical and congratulations to Rex and Singapore airlines and Pel-Air and everyone on the board of directors...
BTW, Par Avion are still doing the Griffith to Melbourne route 3 times a week despite predictions to the contrary. A route Rex abandoned. I do wish them well and hope they are the exception to sentence number one. Maybe one day they will become so successful that Rex take them over.
EDIT for B772. That's interesting.
Last edited by Frank Arouet; 30th Aug 2014 at 01:20.
Reason: Chewing the fat.