The Federal Government has extended the initiatives it had set up to support Australia’s aviation industry, as part of more than $1.2 billion in assistance to the sector so far.
The measures are aimed at providing financial relief to the greatly affected industry, as well as enabling the resumption of domestic air travel as safely as possible.
Federal financial relief to the aviation industry will involve:
- Extending a range of measures under the $715 million Australian Airline Financial Relief Package, including ongoing refunds and fee waivers for aviation fuel excise, Airservices charges on domestic airline operations and domestic and regional aviation security charges
- Extending the $100 million Regional Airlines Funding Assistance program until 31 December 2020 or until allocated funds are exhausted, whichever comes first, to support regional airlines to continue operating
- Allowing leased federal airports to seek partial relief from land tax charges to 31 December 2020, in line with state government land tax relief arrangements
The Federal Government will also work with industry to ensure Australians can access domestic air travel as COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed. This will be achieved through the following:
- Extending the Domestic Aviation Network Support (DANS) program to 30 September 2020, to maintain connectivity on major domestic air routes. The Federal Government will enter into new contracts with airlines to cover operating shortfalls on a minimum number of flights on key routes
- Extending the Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) program from 30 September to 31 December 2020, to ensure regional communities continue to receive essential air services. The Government will continue to cover operating shortfalls for a limited number of services on regional routes flown prior to the COVID-19 crisis
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the Federal Government was doing everything possible to ensure the aviation industry is sustained throughout the pandemic so that it can rebound on the other side.
“Australia’s aviation industry has a bright future ahead and I am confident we will rebuild throughout 2020 and beyond,” Mr McCormack said.
“We have kept the aviation sector going by funding minimum networks to get essential personnel and critical supplies to where they may be needed.
“The measures announced today will help ensure Australian airlines and operators can maintain essential air services as we map out our economic recovery.”
