The head of a body representing Bourke, Walgett and Cobar shires has welcomed a federal government report mapping its approach to regional aviation.  

The Aviation White Paper, released in August, sets the government's long-term policy agenda and said the Productivity Commission (PC) will hold a review of regional airfares. 

"It's good that the government's recognised that connecting regional Australia is critical from a wide range in viewpoints, like in relation to health, education, training, availability of professional services and getting people to remote areas," said Ross Earl, Executive Officer of the Far North West Joint Organisation. 

The 240-page report said the PC inquiry will probe impacts of regional airfares and advise on ways to "maintain appropriate levels of regional air connectivity at acceptable prices." 

The report said that existing programs supporting remote and regional airport upgrades, like the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program (RAU), are "oversubscribed" and need "strategic investment."  

It also said the government will update the RAU's grant guidelines to consider how applicants’ activities support Closing the Gap targets, like improving access to health services.  

The paper was released after regional carrier Rex Airlines, which runs routes between Dubbo and Sydney, entered into voluntary administration in July.  

The federal government committed to guaranteeing Rex customers during the administration period, meaning they will be entitled to a full refund if their flights are cancelled.  

"In Aviation White Paper consultations, stakeholders expressed the firm view that regional aviation is increasingly not adequately serving the community’s needs, with high prices and limited services. Competition in regional aviation has been reducing since the deregulation of aviation in the 1990s," the white paper said.  

"Between 1989 and 2021, the number of regional routes fell from 458 to 291 and the number of remote routes fell from 264 to 163.144 Many routes are now serviced by a monopoly operator."