Regional Express (Rex) has reported record rises in passenger numbers on flights between Sydney and the NSW regional town of Griffith following a joint initiative between the carrier and the Griffith City Council which has made air travel cheaper.
Last October the council agreed to remove its head tax from fares in return for a similar reduction in the cost of Rex fares - thereby reducing fares to as low as $99 each way.
Since then, passenger numbers have reached their highest level since 1991, with passenger numbers eclipsing the previous best month three times, and the carrier posting new records in November, March and May.
Overall, in the past eight months passenger numbers have increased by 44 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2002-03.
The increase has prompted Rex to further boost flights between Griffith and Sydney from August 17, with an extra return flight to operate on Tuesdays and the introduction of a Saturday night service to Griffith, returning on Sunday morning.
Rex spokesman Peter Leate said the aim of the initiative with the council was to make air travel affordable and accessible to more people between Griffith and Sydney, “so it’s very encouraging to see these record passenger numbers”, he said.
“The increased demand has now brought the benefit of a wider choice of flights and therefore greater availability of discount fares for travellers between Griffith and Sydney.”