THE Mount Gambier business sector is calling for answers from Australia’s largest regional aviation carrier over claims of a spike in flight cancellations and delays along the two Mount Gambier routes.
This comes amid revelations Regional Express (Rex) is now cancelling or delaying flights on average every two days and Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell lambasting the carrier over its “appalling” customer service.
The Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce this week distributed a survey to nearly 400 business operators seeking their feedback on the Mount Gambier Airport and its services.
Chamber president Lynette Martin said yesterday she was aware there had been a number of issues surrounding flight reliability at the aerodrome in recent times.
“I am not sure why this is happening, whether there are problems with the aircraft or staffing levels,” Ms Martin told The Border Watch.
“Rex provides a valuable service to the community and the airport’s air services are vital to the Mount Gambier economy, particularly the business sector.
“We must have reliable services for business people flying in and out of Mount Gambier, tourists and people flying to metropolitan centres for medical appointments.”
The survey aims to collect a snapshot of people’s views over pricing, reliability, scheduling and customer service, as well as whether they would fly more if these issues were addressed.
Mount Gambier businessman Ray Scott yesterday hit out strongly at Rex, claiming the airline was treating the Mount Gambier and district community as second class citizens.
He said the airline appeared to have no consideration for passengers in the way it cancelled flights without regard to its customers.
“The cancellation of flights occurs too regularly and it affects people returning from holidays and business people who are unable to meet appointments in either capital cities or Mount Gambier,” he said.
Mr Scott said he knew of several families who had their holidays ruined because of Rex’s cavalier approach to late cancellations of flights.
“It is not fair when a family turns up at the Rex counter as part of a connecting flight to find out the flight has been cancelled and more often there are no vacancies on the flights the next day,” Mr Scott said.
He also claimed the flight cancellations were turning away international tourists who were now avoiding Mount Gambier because of the uncertainty of flights.
The prominent business operator said Rex had to show more respect to the Mount Gambier community, which was it key customer base for the routes.
He urged Grant District Council to take the matter up with the airline as a matter of urgency.
Council chief executive officer Trevor Smart said council was continuing to assess air services at the aerodrome.
“We are continuing to look at ways to improve services,” Mr Smart said.
But he said council had not taken up the issue of flight reliability given there was a clear line between ownership and the commercial operations of Regional Express.
“The way Regional Express wants to operate its services is their call,” Mr Smart said.
But he said council was open to speaking with other operators who may want to use the airport.
“We are open to opportunities, it is not a closed airport,” he said.
Mr Smart also welcomed the survey being undertaken by the chamber of commerce given it could provide information from the public regarding air travel.
He revealed council was also canvassing various options for the redevelopment of the airport given another round of the Building Better Regions Fund would close in four weeks.
Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce is supporting council’s funding application through the survey of the business community.
It is hoped the survey will gather quantitative data to support the business case for such an upgrade.
“It is imperative that we have as many responses as possible, to gain a better understanding of the potential demand for air services,” Ms Martin said.
The survey must be completed before November 27.
