Murweh Shire Council Mayor Shaun Radnedge has hit out at Qantas, saying last-minute cancellations, fluctuating flight costs and inconsistent flights are hurting the people of regional Queensland.
QantasLink ran daily flights between Brisbane and Charleville prior to the pandemic when air travel was grounded, but now Charleville only has flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Mr Radnedge said Sunday's central one route (Brisbane-Roma-Charleville) was pulled at the last minute, leaving many people stranded and forcing vital health clinics to be cancelled, as doctors could not make flights.
"I am so sick of Qantas and the perceived lies they spruik to the government and investors about their environment and social justice campaigns, whilst kicking my regional community in the guts repeatedly," Mr Radnedge said.
"Alan Joyce has no problem spruiking environmental sustainability to his woke investors and taking home his massive salary, but he forgets about the doctors and the health staff that we desperately needed to arrive on the Sunday flight."
Qantas disputed the mayor's claims, saying passengers were given plenty of notice of the cancellation.
"These flights were cancelled last Friday - two days ahead of the first impacted flight," a spokesperson said.
"As with all Qantas cancellations, customers were sent direct texts as soon as the flight was cancelled and were rebooked to the Monday flight or given the option to cancel for a full refund."
The spokesperson said COVID-19 had significantly impacted its business and it had reduced its flights across Australia.
"The mayor is clearly mis-informed about Qantas' commitment to Charleville and the impact that COVID is having on the aviation industry," the spokesperson said.
"COVID has already blown a $16 billion hole in our revenue which means we cannot continue to fund loss making flights. We have reduced our flight schedules right across the country.
"Demand for Sunday flights out of Charleville is low, with less than 10 customers booked on some of these flights, which is why we've had to make the decision to cancel them.
"We know that cancellations are an inconvenience to customers which is why they are always a last resort."
Mr Radnedge also said his community needed consistency in fares so people's lives were not disrupted.
"One week they might jump 75 per cent with no rhyme or reason. It is like they purposely want the service to fail so they can show deceptive data to government."
Qantas responded by saying like all airlines, the first seats sold on flights were typically the cheapest while the last few seats were the most expensive.
"We offer Charleville residents year-round discounts on return flights to Brisbane through our discounted fares program to make regional travel more accessible," the spokesperson said.
"These discounts get bigger during peak periods or last-minute travel when fares tend to be more expensive to make it easier for regional residents to get where they need to go.
"All flights on sale between Brisbane and Charleville at this point in time have fares available for as low as $223 one-way through the Discounted Fares for Residents program.
"The reality is that we can't continue to operate a service that doesn't break even on costs.
"We work closely and transparently with the Queensland Government and all changes to our Charleville schedule are made in consultation with the Queensland Government as part of the regulated routes contract."
The mayor said he had been in talks with Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey and Director-General Rachel Hunter, and will be asking Mr Bailey to help coordinate a regional round table on regional air flights.
He said he was also calling on Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce to ask Alan Joyce to Charleville and be part of the round table.
"I bet Alan Joyce would not drive the 10 hours to Brisbane for health services. I bet if his family were sick and depending on a doctor flying out to service their needs, he would not have cancelled the flight," Mr Radnedge said.
"Never forget where you come from, Alan Joyce. Never forget Charleville was your first ever Qantas mail run.
"I am embarrassed to even think about that important bit of Aussie history, given the way we have been treated this week; you make me sick with worry, but you are also making my locals literally sick as they miss out on a vital scheduled health clinic."
Qantas said it had a long history of serving the town.
"We have a long history of serving Charleville and we'll continue to work with the local community to ensure air travel remains accessible as well as sustainable," the spokesperson said.
Want daily news highlights delivered to your inbox? Sign up to the Queensland Country Life newsletter below.
Brandon Long
Brandon Long is a Queensland Country Life journalist based in Toowoomba.
Brandon Long is a Queensland Country Life journalist based in Toowoomba.
