During my journey to Mount Isa from Port Macquarie in NSW, I had plenty of time to observe and ponder everything to do with air travel.
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The airport is a place of complete diversity where people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures come together.
It’s a representation of everything which makes Australia great – and highlights the point that ‘we are one but we are many’.
As I stared out the window of the plane at the iconic kangaroo icon of one of our major airlines, I couldn’t help but ponder the hypocrisy of this.
It doesn’t seem very fair, or Australian for people to be penalised for travelling to a regional area.
While I was fortunate enough to be travelling for work, I thought about the high cost of air travel for those who regularly have to fly.
The North West Star has made this point many times before, recently earning editor Derek Barry an award for his thorough analysis.
The due date of the federal inquiry into air services in regional and rural areas has been delayed a fourth time to June 27, 2019
It's unfair to the wider regional Queensland community to keep pushing back an investigation into such an important issue.
It doesn't just impact the community financially but also other areas, including the health sector and the economy.
People put themselves at risk of fatigue-related crashes when they choose to drive long distances, rather than flying.
The price hike is bound to take a hit on tourism for the area too. Who would fly to Mount Isa from Brisbane for upwards $1000 return, when they could go elsewhere in Australia or overseas for a fraction of the cost?
I feel for the people who live far away from their families or those who are required to travel to access health facilities or educational opportunities.
These people are forced to fork out for a gold clad ticket every time they need to fly.
For the sake of equality and giving every Australian a fair go, let's hope the inquiry isn't delayed again.
People deserve to hear directly from the airlines as to why they are being penalised for living regionally, while Qantas and Virgin Australia reap the benefits of the ticket price hike. Because that’s not very Australian is it?
