BIRDSVILLE parents, who feared Regional Express (Rex Air) would pull discount student flights next year when it takes over the contract to service the air route, had their anxiety alleviated when the company announced last week it would open discussion on the matter.
During Queensland Country Life's road trip through the region earlier this month, local mother Barbara Mason first flagged concerns that parents would be left to pay almost double the cost for variable adult fares to transport their children to and from boarding school.
"Currently we ring our ICPA (Isolated Children's Parents' Association) contact and have her book student flights with Skytrans, which would be $300 each way no matter when we booked," Ms Mason said.
She said Skytrans' student discount flights were an "act of goodwill" to the community - one which they hoped would be adopted by the new regional carrier.
"What we're now saying to Rex Air is that we would like them to do the same thing," she said.
A spokesman from Rex Air said they hadn't yet been contacted by the ICPA regarding the issue, but were "hoping to have a discussion with the ICPA to see what sort of arrangement we can come to".
Rex Air was awarded three new regulated air contracts from Skytrans last month, including the Brisbane - Toowoomba -Charleville - Quilpie - Windorah - Birdsville - Bedourie - Boulia - Mount Isa route, each starting on January 1, 2015.
Andrea Crothers
Town & Country editor for Queensland Country Life.
Town & Country editor for Queensland Country Life.
