Regional Express (Rex) will commence a new service linking Griffith with Melbourne from 2 July.
The new Saab 340 service has been achieved following the establishment of a new partnership agreement between Griffith City Council and Rex and follows calls from local residents for the service.
Discussions between Council and Rex about the service began in March last year, with Griffith City Council conducting a city-wide and regional survey to gauge interest.
The survey, which was distributed through newspapers, business houses and on-line, received more than 1500 responses during the six week survey period. Since then, Rex has been investigating the long term viability of the service as well as pulling together the additional aircraft and crewing resources to operate it. Given the substantial investment required, an effective partnership between the airline and Council was agreed paving the way for its introduction.
“It is gratifying that Griffith will now have Melbourne flights and that the behind the scenes work Griffith City Council and Rex management have done has borne fruit,” Griffith City Mayor, Cr Dino Zappacosta, said.
“I know that the community has been wondering about the service since the survey was conducted, but it is a major decision and one which has required very careful consideration,” Cr Zappacosta said.
Rex’s Managing Director, Geoff Breust said the new service reflected Rex’s confidence in Griffith and the region.
“This is a major investment by Rex to establish a new market with a 34 seat aircraft providing 816 seats on twelve return services each week (42,000 seats annually). It involves a commitment of almost $3 million per annum in aircraft ownership and operating costs.
“We believed that only a schedule which allowed both Griffith and Melbourne residents the ability to have a day’s business in either the city or the bush was the only way to proceed. This has meant the allocation of a dedicated aircraft to the service which will over night in Griffith.
“In scheduling the service this way we have also been able to improve our Griffith – Sydney schedule as the Melbourne aircraft will operate a return frequency to Sydney each weekday adding seats and convenience to that service also. This means five return services each weekday to Sydney and brings the total weekly seat capacity to 2,176 an increase of 23 percent.
“Our Melbourne schedule also includes a return flight on Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings allowing a full weekend in Melbourne or Griffith. This will certainly add more visitors and tourism to Griffith and the region.
Rex Melbourne fares will be similar to those applying to Sydney and a special introductory web fare of $109.00 one way is available for sale until 31 July.
“This is a great result for all stakeholders – Griffith City Council in terms of improved services and activity for the airport. Rex in terms of greater activity and improved returns in the long term, but most particularly the Griffith and regional community in terms of access, economic growth and improved social amenity,” Mr Breust said.
Cr Zappacosta said that now Rex is introducing the service, it is up to the community to support it.
“Council received a massive amount of support for its approach to Rex and it is now up to the community to support the airline by using the service,” he said.
“It’s one thing to give in-principle support through a survey and various other forms of communication, but that support must now become a reality.
“We are very grateful to Regional Express for their strong support of Griffith through the provision of a regular air service to Sydney and for their faith in the future of the city, shown by the introduction of the Melbourne service.
“I would urge everyone who would utilise the service to do so, whether it be for business or pleasure,” Cr Zappacosta said.
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