Regional Express (Rex) confirmed today that it had applied to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission for exemption from parts of the Disability Discrimination Act. This submission is the result of some two years of consultation with the disabled community and their representative groups and as such takes into account the views put forward by them.
Acting Managing Director, Mr Jim Davis said, “The submission simply seeks guidance from the Commission on the application of the Act in the context of Rex’s turboprop operations given the inherent limitations of our small aircraft in relation to payload, aisle width and the presence of only one Flight Attendant to respond to emergencies.
“Under the proposal only passengers who cannot understand safety instructions (verbal, written or in pictorial form) need to travel with a carer. This requirement is no different from the standard airline requirement that an infant too young to travel as an Unaccompanied Minor needs to travel with an adult. Additionally, those passengers who require help to go to the toilet or to eat may also elect to bring a carer, however this is not necessary if the passenger elects to forego catering or will not normally need to go to the toilet for the duration of the flight.
“Rex has made an exceptional effort to assist passengers with special needs, spending approximately $700,000 on special equipment to help wheelchair-bound passengers embark and disembark our aircraft. To put this into perspective, this is equivalent to Qantas spending $70 million to improve their service for special needs passengers. We have also committed to offering the lowest internet fares to carers accompanying disabled passengers on those occasions where it is required.”
Mr Davis added, “Rex has, since the day of its inception, made it a special mission to help individuals and groups in distress as far as we are able, especially those in the regional communities. We have committed millions of dollars in past years to helping various segments of communities in distress; like those badly affected by the drought, children struck with cancer and other debilitating illnesses, homes for the mentally challenged, etc.
“We see this as simply being a part of the regional communities we serve rather than as a legislative requirement. However, there is a limit to how far we can stretch our resources and therefore we need to be able to strike a balance. An inordinate commitment to one special needs group will result in us not being able to assist other groups in need.
“We thank the various groups and individuals for their comments and feedback following the publication of our submission and we will forward to the Commission shortly a response to these, after which time the matter will be subject to the Commission’s review and decision.”
Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of 37 Saab 340 aircraft on 1,300 flights weekly to 24 destinations from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The Rex Group comprises Regional Express, air freight and charter operator Pel - Air Aviation and Dubbo based regional airline, Air Link.
|