Regional airline services into Sydney Airport have been secured according to Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, who announced on June 2 that a change in regulations will prevent the airport from raising charges for regional airlines above the consumer price index (CPI).
The federal government has instituted the cap on charges through issuing a new Declaration and Determination under the Commonwealth Trade Practices Act, which it says will prevent the airport’s operator, Sydney Airports Corporation Limited, from increasing charges above the CPI. It follows on from a similar action which commenced in 2002, with the new Declaration to take effect from July 1 2010 until June 30 2013.
The action is expected to be well received by the regional airline industry, which has long held fears that it would be priced out of Sydney as the airport sought to open up slots for more lucrative larger aircraft at the airport.
