City backs review of airport policy
The City of Albany would support a move by the State Government to request the Commonwealth review its policy on how the cost of providing security across the regional aviation network is met.
The WA Government released its State Aviation Strategy at the weekend, which aims to provide a framework for future planning and investment in air services and airport infrastructure.
A key finding of the report was that the cost of providing security across the aviation network fell disproportionately on passengers travelling from smaller regional airports, adding to high airfares in regional locations.
The State aims to approach the Federal Government to review the way security costs are covered.
The total passenger handling fee for Albany is $40.60 a head, which according to the report, is about eight times the cost of handling the same passengers at Perth Airport.
City of Albany chief executive Graham Foster said the cost was related to the volume of passengers moving through the airport.
"Albany is unable to get benefits of economies of scale that larger airports enjoy," he said.
"For example, the City of Albany is required by law to employ an entire security-screening team for one flight of 46 seats."
Since 2012, the City has spent nearly $5 million on airport upgrades, mostly as a direct result of new Federal Government aviation security requirements.
Mr Foster said the City would support a move to share the cost of security processing across all airports.
"It could be argued smaller regional airports are being unfairly burdened with the responsibility for ensuring a safe domestic aviation network," he said.
"A solution could be for the Federal Government to introduce one national charge to apply to all domestic air travel and cover the costs of domestic screening instead of leaving it to airports to administer on an individual basis.
"It can be argued passengers leaving Albany are being screened not only to protect Albany and the departing passengers, but also protect the end destination."
The report also touched on the Department of Transport's view to deregulate air routes where possible and said it would seek to introduce a low-cost carrier to operate intrastate services for lower fares.
The DoT recommended the Albany-Perth air route should be deregulated after a contract with Virgin Australia finishes in January 2016.
Public comment on the recommendation is still being assessed.
Mr Foster said the City supported the State Government's review of the regulated air route.
