Skywest must deliver

Performance expectations will be included in final arrangements with Skywest, Transport Minister Troy Buswell said last week during a trip to Albany to discuss air routes.

After months of speculation, the State Government announced Skywest would have exclusive rights to the Albany and Esperance air routes for the next five years.

It was also revealed at least one airline indicated it was not prepared to operate in competition on the Albany and Esperance air routes, meaning Albany would remain a one-airline city.

Mr Buswell, who met concerned parties in Albany on Thursday, said he was aware of community concerns about the cost of airfares and schedules.

He said the Government was still negotiating the new deeds of agreement with Skywest.

“We need to look at that deed and what we can do within those negotiations to address, in particular, some of the issues around the service schedules into Albany,” he said.

“To make sure there are performance expectations created within the deed that enable us to hold Skywest to account over the next few years.”

Mr Buswell said the Government would begin a review into the Albany air route in three years, at which time he expected the appetite for competition on regional air routes to be greater.

“I’m very confident that at that time Albany would be a prime candidate for introduction of competition,” he said.

“We will leave no stone unturned to make sure that at that time competition can come to Albany, acknowledging that ultimately though that’s a decision for individual airlines to make.”

Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Graham Harvey said Mr Buswell had given him a personal undertaking to do anything in his power to review the connection between the Albany and Esperance air routes in future negotiations.

“The major driver of the flat lining of Albany’s passenger numbers has been the unsuitability of the situation on the Albany sector,” he said. “The Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry will not rest until we have a service Monday to Friday departing Albany no later than 7.15am and returning from Perth no earlier than 6.45pm.”

Skywest sales and marketing general manager Alan Stuart said Skywest would meet the Department of Transport in coming days.

Mr Stuart said he would not comment further until formal deeds had been signed, which he expected to occur in the “next week or so”.

Got a story? Email phoebe.wearne@albanyadvertiser.com