Bid to solve King Island flight stoush

A FACILITATOR is being appointed to try to break a stalemate between airline Regional Express and the King Island Council which has seen flights cut and others in danger of being lost.

A government spokesman said Premier Will Hodgman had talked with the Mayor of King Island Duncan McFie and understood the importance and urgency of the standoff.

“There are a lot of residents, businesses and visitors to the island that use this important service,” the spokesman said yesterday.

“A facilitator is being appointed to work with both parties to help find a resolution to the dispute.”

King Island has been experiencing a tourism boom with new world-class golf courses bringing heeled visitors.

Locals make up just 40 per cent of the passenger traffic through the Bass Strait island’s upgraded terminal.

A council decision to increase landing fees and bring in passenger charges — intended to share the cost of the airport’s upgrade between ratepayers and visitors — has angered Rex Airlines.

As a result the carrier’s flights between Melbourne and King Island on Tuesdays and the return flight on Wednesday have been cancelled from August 14. in well-

The flights, equal to about 3000 passengers annually, represent 30 per cent of the airline’s services to the island.

The council says it is working “to reach a new normal” providing airlines with cost certainty and residents with reliable, frequent links to and from Melbourne and mainland Tasmania.

Last week the council asked Mr Hodgman to “step in and navigate a long-term solution for King Island”.

Rex called off a planned meeting with the council last week saying it would “no longer devote any time to this matter, nor entertain any further discussions”.

“Further to the 30 per cent cuts in air services already announced, Rex will review quarterly to determine if further changes are needed.”