General News
12 April, 2022
Six-year extension to discount flight scheme
THE Palaszczuk Government is delivering more affordable air travel and certainty for Far North Queensland locals with a six-year extension of the Local Fare Scheme.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said that to date, more than 122,000 trips had been taken on the scheme since the Palaszczuk Government reintroduced it in July 2015, equating to a total investment of about $21 million.
“Reduced flight costs are a lifeline to remote communities, and extending the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment provided real surety to Far North locals,” Mr Bailey said.
“The scheme is a commitment to remote towns in the Far North to ensure residents remain connected with regional centres and essential services.”
Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui, said a six-year extension of the scheme provides longer term surety for remote communities that the Palaszczuk Government will continue to support their air travel needs.
“The scheme provides a discount of up to $200 per flight for eligible residents in Cape York, the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait, facilitating affordable travel for access to health, education and allied services while promoting social and recreational connections,” Ms Lui said.
“This longer-term extension of the Local Fare Scheme also comes with additional benefits, including the addition of one-way discount fares, greater flexibility of travel options and better eligibility rules.
“I’ve had many people in our Far North communities, particularly in the Torres Strait, asking for these changes, so I’m incredibly proud to be delivering them.
“Under the improved scheme, eligible residents will be able to make bookings for one-way fares and travel anywhere within the Local Fare Scheme region and will continue to receive a discount on the standard published airfare of up to $200 per flight.
“And the requirement to have lived in some communities for three years before being eligible will be reduced for selected communities.
“The majority of the changes to the Local Fare Scheme, and improved benefits to communities, will be in place from 1 July 2022.”
For more information about the Local Fares Scheme flights, including a complete list of communities included in the scheme, visit the Local Fare Scheme website https://bit.ly/38nnpIu.
The website will be updated with improved benefits as full details are finalised.
