The Federal Government has published the new Aviation White Paper, introducing stronger industry oversight and new standards around decarbonisation, transparency and competition.
The White Paper includes 56 policies setting the direction for the industry.
Consumer rights, increasing competition, supporting regional and general aviation, and helping the sector decarbonise are key focus areas.
The centrepiece is an independent Aviation Industry Ombuds Scheme and a new Charter of Customer Rights. The charter establishes a regime for the fair and appropriate treatment of customers, including actions the airline must take in the event of flight delays and cancellations.
Airlines will have a new requirement to “show cause” when flights are delayed or cancelled. The Federal Government will increase the transparency of airline performance, with more data on performance and competition to be published by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE).
The White Paper also addresses the treatment of passengers and airport users with disabilities. The government will create new aviation-specific disability standards, review industry compliance with those new standards, and require airlines and airports to coordinate their actions in assisting people with disability.
The government will also implement measures to increase competition, including the changes underway to reform Sydney Airport slot management arrangements. The opening of Western Sydney International Airport in 2026 will be a genuine game-changer for access to the Sydney Basin.
The Federal Government said major airports are natural monopolies and appropriate oversight is needed so they do not misuse their market position. The ACCC will monitor the conduct of pricing negotiations between airlines and major airports – and the next Productivity Commission inquiry into the economic regulation of airports will advise whether stronger regulation is required.
Funding programs that support remote airstrip upgrades and regional airports have been expanded. The Productivity Commission will also hold a review into regional airfares.
The Federal Government will also make the aircraft noise ombudsman independent of Airservices Australia and Defence, and improve engagement with communities affected by changes to airspace and flight paths.
The newly independent Aircraft Noise Ombuds role will have the power to conduct independent investigations into the handling of aircraft noise complaints, publish reports, and make recommendations directly to government about the handling of noise complaints, community consultation processes and other matters.
The 2024 Aviation White Paper is the result of months of detailed consultations, 2,096 submissions and 22 roundtables.
The new Aviation Industry Ombudsperson will oversee the charter, handle complaints, publish reports on airline and airport conduct, recommend further policy change to Government and refer instances of misconduct to the ACCC.
A consultation paper has been released with the White Paper to support the design of the Aviation Industry Ombuds Scheme.
The Aviation White Paper can be found here: www.infrastructure.gov.au/AviationWhitePaper
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