Subsidies for air operators providing services to regional and remote locations

A subsidy scheme that reimburses enroute air navigation charges levied by Airservices Australia for air operators providing commercial passenger or aeromedical services to regional and remote locations.

To be eligible for the commercial passenger component of the Scheme:

- the airline has a current Australian air transport (formerly Regular Public Transport (RPT)) Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) that authorises scheduled air transport operations on the route and authorises the aircraft / aircraft type for air transport services;

- services are to be operated as scheduled air transport operations (unscheduled air transport operations are NOT eligible);

- the route is to be to/from a Regional or Remote location, as defined by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC);

- the route is serviced by a single operator;

- the route has no more than 15,000 passenger movements per annum;

- the route does not otherwise receive a subsidy for flight costs from any level of government;

- the proposed route is shown to have an economic and/or social impact on the community; AND

- the aircraft type used on the route has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 15,000Kg or less.

To be eligible for the aeromedical component of the Scheme:

- the airline can demonstrate its engagement as a contracted aeromedical provider;

- the airline has an AOC that authorises these services;

- the aeromedical services are conducted using aircraft authorised for this purpose;

- the aircraft used has a MTOW of 15,000Kg or less; AND

- services operated by the airline are anticipated to include services to/from a Regional or Remote location, as defined by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC).

Other eligibility details explicitly stated:

- Funding for the Scheme is limited to the annual financial year amounts listed in the Australian Government's Portfolio Budget Statements.

- An airline wishing to apply to have a route designated as eligible should read the Scheme guidelines and complete the application form. Applications can be lodged at any time. Airlines wishing to apply for designation of more than one route can apply for consideration of all proposed routes together; each route will be assessed separately.

- If successful, applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with the Commonwealth.