MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell says he is stunned with the response from Regional Express regarding his concerns over a lack of customer service from the regional carrier.
This follows the politician announcing he will boycott using the airline after a group of passengers was left stranded in Adelaide when a flight was cancelled.
“All I was asking for is that Rex books a flight the next day for people who are left stranded overnight,” Mr Bell said yesterday.
He said he had not requested the carrier pay for accommodation, meal allowances and taxi travel despite other airlines offering this service.
Mr Bell said he urged the airline to put on another flight the following day so people could return home.
“To me Regional Express is showing a complete lack of respect for its customers,” he said.
Explaining he was continuing his boycott of the airline until the carrier lifted its customer service, he said the airline must “meet the community halfway”.
“Rex should book passengers on flights who are left stranded at no fault of their own,” he said.
Mr Bell called on the airline to sit down with him and talk through the issue in a “professional and calm manner”.
Rex network strategy and sales general manager Warrick Lodge said it was “unfortunate” Mr Bell chose not to contact Rex to find out the facts before making his announcement to boycott Rex over a weather-related delay.
“We do not believe this is the best way to advance the cause of the community,” Mr Lodge said.
“Be that as it may, we respect his political decision and we will facilitate his decision by ensuring that he will not be inadvertently booked on a Rex flight by his travel agent.”
