Media Releases
Wednesday, 9th December 2009
The Rudd Labor Government has today announced new measures to help make Australia’s regional international airports such as Cairns, Broome and Darwin even more attractive ports of call for international airlines and tourists.
The Government will offer foreign airlines greater access to our four major gateway destinations of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth for flights that make stopovers in regional airports.
For example, if a foreign airline operated a flight to Sydney via Cairns, this flight would not be counted against the capacity entitlement for Sydney of that airline’s government within reasonable limits.
In addition, we will also offer foreign airlines the right to operate from regional international airports into nearby countries such as New Zealand and the island nations of the Pacific.
While Australia already offers foreign airlines unlimited access to our regional airports, more needs to be done to encourage the take up of these rights.
This is about improving the commercial potential of services to Australia’s regional airports and encouraging tourism and investment into regional economies.
The Rudd Government is determined to do everything we can to showcase regional Australia’s world-class destinations.
The measures announced today will, for example, help support Cathay Pacific existing services between Cairns and Hong Kong, as well as encourage airlines from Korea and China to consider serving Cairns all year-round.
They will also complement the Government’s soon to be released National Long Term Tourism Strategy and the recent announcement from Jetstar that it will increase services between Cairns and Japan from next year.
Today’s announcement will be confirmed in the Rudd Government’s Aviation White Paper, which will be released next week.
Electorate Office
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Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
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Electorate Office
334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices stand and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Authorised by Anthony Albanese. 334a Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204.