Resource downturn hits NW regional air route

Airnorth will next month axe its weekly return services linking Karratha and Port Hedland to Broome, Kununurra and Darwin.

The Bristow Helicopters owned company blamed a downturn in the resource sector within the Pilbara and said “the viability of the services has been subject to ongoing review”.

“Unfortunately our analysis over the past few months has indicated declining passenger demand for these services and as a result the weekly service will cease,” an Airnorth spokeswoman said.

The carrier said it would contact passengers affected by the cancellations and that refunds would be available for passengers.

The last Airnorth service to the Pilbara (Karratha and Port Hedland) will be Tuesday May 17, 2016.

Karratha-based accountant Mark Hethernan uses the Airnorth service out of the Pilbara when he works in Broome for one week every month.

“I feel that too often these big corporates take the easy money in good times and do not support regional areas when things get a bit tough,” he said.

“I am an accountant and understand economics, but also understand money is not completely everything.”

Airnorth chief executive Daniel Bowden said the carrier was committed to the Broome market and still offered daily services linking the Kimberley town to Kununurra and Darwin and then onward connections from either Broome or Darwin.

“We also connect Kununurra and Darwin to Perth via Broome with our codeshare partner Qantas,” he said.

“We will continue to monitor the local market for additional opportunities and would like to thank all our customers and the Broome region for their continued support.”

Broome International Airport general manager Paul McSweeney said while the news was disappointing, the decision was understandable given the economic climate.

“Airnorth is a valuable airport customer that still offers good connections to Kununurra, Darwin and beyond,” he said.

“We work closely with Airnorth and should the market pick-up again we will work closely with them to try get these routes back.”

Australia’s North West Tourism promotes tourism in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.

ANWT chief executive Glen Chidlow said the move highlights the difficulty in maintaining intra-regional jet services.

“But importantly for residents and visitors to the Kimberley, there are still daily connections between Broome, Kununurra and Darwin,” he said.

Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Rhondda Chappell said Airnorth could not be expected to continue running the route at a loss when there was no demand.

Ms Chappell said the BCCI would like to hear from businesses who might be affected by the cancellation to understand what direct impacts it might cause.

“If the region can demonstrate a need for this service to continue, we will present it to Airnorth who are members of the BCCI,” she said.