Australia’s Rex Airlines will resume services connecting Burketown Airport (BUC) in Queensland, with Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD). It is hoped that this will improve access to Burketown’s relatively remote rural community, when flights resume Nov. 16. Rex will however suspend its flights between SYD and both Orange Regional Airport (OAG) and Port Macquarie Airport (PQQ), in New South Wales.
Why is Rex Important to Burketown?
Rex was the only airline regularly operating at BUC prior to its closure Apr. 9, due to flooding.
During the temporary closure Rex has operated a shuttle service between BUC, and Doomadgee Airport (DMD), which is roughly 80 kilometres away.
Burketown is particularly susceptible to flooding between December and March each year, with BUC often being used by emergency services during particularly severe floods.
The airport is also vital to the region’s tourism industry.
BUC connects Burketown to DMD, as well as Cairns Airport (CNS), Mornington Island Airport (ONG), Mount Isa Airport (ISA), and Normanton Airport (NTN), all of which are also in Queensland.
What is Happening at Rex?
On the same day as Rex announced it would be resuming flights to Queensland, the airline also suspended flights on two of its other routes.
Rex will temporarily stop operating its services between SYD and both OAG and PQQ Oct. 25.
A spokesperson for the airline said that,
“The environment of entrenched high fuel prices driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, together with a lack of demand, do not make these routes commercially viable at this time.”
Rex’s decision means that QuantasLink, a regional brand of the Australian flag carrier Qantas Airways, will be the only airline currently operating on either route.
Members of Australia’s senate have raised concerns about whether allowing QuantasLink to hold monopoly power over these routes will provide the carrier with an opportunity to raise ticket prices, and exploit those who rely on the services.
Have you ever flown to Burketown? How important do you think the airport is for the local area? Let us know in the comments.
