Airlines get $298m lift
AAP
THE Morrison Government has launched a further two new packages worth $298 million to help keep the aviation sector flying.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said $198 million was being provided to support regional airlines, including the Territory’s Airnorth, and an additional $100 million will also be available to smaller regional airlines.
This brings the government’s total commitment to the aviation sector to more than $1 billion.
“Regional aviation has been smashed by COVID-19,” Mr McCormack, the Nationals leader and transport minister, said.
“This package guarantees core routes for domestic airfreight will remain open and essential workers remain employed.”
Airnorth is among regional airlines targeted in the new packages
But Mr McCormack ruled out nationalising struggling airlines. “It is not the government’s intention to nationalise airlines,” he said. “We want them to continue to be commercial operations.”
He said air services are needed now more than ever to connect regional Australia to freight, medical testing, supplies and essential personnel. “Everything we are doing as a government in response to COVID-19 is focused on saving lives and livelihoods,” Mr McCormack said.
He said there are 26,000 people employed in the regional aviation sector.
Last week Virgin Australia announced more than 1000 of its 8000 workers that have been asked to take leave will probably be made redundant.
At the same time Qantas stood down 20,000 of its 30,000 workers