Regional Express airline has signed a Commonwealth Grant Agreement under the COVID-19 Regional Airline Network Support program announced in late March.
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Under the program, regional airline carriers will be provided assistance to maintain a minimal weekly schedule to regional and remote areas including North West Queensland.
After an extraordinary start to April when Rex changed its mind twice about whether to continue, there will be funding for up to six months with an initial approval for six weeks with Rex operating one to two return services a week to most destinations.
Last week the airline submitted a revised request for funding and if successful, nominated Rex ports will see a minimum of two return services per week with some ports having up to three return services per week.
The Queensland state government has also committed to funding additional services and Rex said those details will be released once confirmed.
Rex's Deputy Chairman John Sharp thanked the federal government for providing funding to ensure they continue to receive minimal essential air links for medical, professional and educational needs.
"Without this intervention, many smaller regional communities would risk not having any air services at all for at least six months," he said.
"By funding a barebones schedule for the next six months, the Federal Government has given all regional airlines a fighting chance to see through this pandemic."
There is approved funding for one return flight a week from Cairns to Mount Isa and an application in for a second.
There is also approved funding for the five regulated routes Townsville-Winton-Longreach, Townsville-Richmond-Mount Isa, Brisbane-Thargomindah, Brisbane-Birdsville-Mount Isa and Cairns-Mornington Island-Mount Isa.
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