Derby flights up for tender

Virgin Australia’s monopoly on direct flights from Perth to Derby is set to go through a tendering process after the State Government compiled an extensive report on air routes to regional towns.

The airline currently flies from the State capital to the West Kimberley town four times a week and have a deal in place to continue to do so until February 2016.

However, following the release of the Review of Regulated Regular Public Transport Air Routes in Western Australia document, tenders for the provision of air services direct to Derby up until 2021 are being invited.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the tendering process was essential to ensure high standards.

“The upcoming tender process will award rights to a single operator, with Government setting the maximum passenger fares, a certain level of flight frequency and on-time performance standards,” he said.

“This is a win-win for communities and travellers. It gives the traveller access to a regular air service and the airline greater certainty to provide services on the route.

“An adequate level of air services is important for many regional towns to ensure community access and economic development.”

The report, which is available on the Department of Transport’s website, has confirmed that most of the footfall on the flight is dependent on a number of mining companies operating in the region.

Approximately 42,000 passengers undertook the route in 2013-14, but this number has recently declined and resulted in the use of smaller aircraft.

The report states that there is insufficient demand for more than one operator.

A Virgin Australia spokesman toldThe Broome Advertiser that it would be reviewing the route but gave no indication whether it would retender.

“Virgin Australia supports the Government’s objective of delivering safe, affordable, efficient and effective air services in Western Australia and is currently reviewing the detail of the report,” he said.