ACTION 8 – FAIRER AIRFARES
This forms part of the Central Highlands Workforce Development and Accommodation Strategy.
CHDC to develop position paper to work directly with the airlines to find solutions on reducing the cost of airfares and expanding regional subsidy schemes for residents.
Monitoring of new fleet and its impact on costs and availability of flights to also be undertaken and improvements to be appropriately communicated to community.
◼ TIMEFRAME: Position Paper to be finalised by 30 June 2024 and roundtable held through WAC in July 2024.
PROGRESS REPORT
February 28, 2024: CHDC and Qantas regional management meet, discussing WDAS and regional challenges. Central Highlands considered for Qantas resident fare discounts.
April 22, 2024: Ongoing discussions with Qantas regarding the awareness and impact of the new E190 fleet and operational changes available from May 2024.
April 30, 2024: Meeting held with Qantas to discuss introduction with new E190 including business class, flight scheduling, and consideration of Central Highlands being included as part of the Resident Fare Scheme. Discussions also included education and marketing support for regional opportunities and Sustainable Aviation Fuel projects.
May 3, 2024: Meeting with Mr. Colin Boyce MP to discuss WDAS strategy and advocate for regional airfare subsidy scheme coverage by the Federal government.
June 28, 2024: Position paper finalised and to be presented at the next WAC on Thursday 18 July 2024.
July 18, 2024: Position paper presented at the third WAC (Workforce Accommodation Collective) and published on the CHDC website.
7 November 2024: Qantas will have a follow-up meeting with CHRC and CHDC with a Qantas representative responsible for negotiating airport charges in attendance. This meeting is the result of ongoing advocacy and engagement by CHDC since March 2024, with a focus on the lack of regional discounts for residents of the Central Highlands and the cost of airfares in line with additional data provided in the WDAS Fairer Airfares paper.
7 November 2024: Qantas, CHDC and CHRC met to discuss Qantas including the Central Highlands region in their discounted fares for regional residents scheme. In particular for our Emerald to Brisbane route. A follow up meeting is scheduled for late December 2024.
