Published on Friday, 19 December 2025 at 8:57:28 AM
The Shire of East Pilbara welcomes the State Government’s decision to continue capped regional airfares, noting they are critical for enabling regional families to travel.
However, the decision to revise conditions for capped fares during peak periods will negatively impact the region.
Shire President Cr Anthony Middleton said the East Pilbara needs lower capped fares that are available year-round and not restricted by booking timeframes.
“When families can’t afford to fly, they drive. That means longer hours on the road, higher fatigue, and higher crash risk on some of the most remote highways in the country,” Cr Middleton said.
“We’re meant to be reducing road trauma, not increasing the number of people undertaking 12 to 16-hour drives simply because air travel has become unaffordable during the very periods people actually need to travel.”
The Shire said the decision disproportionately affects regional families because peak travel periods are not discretionary in remote communities.
“School holidays, specialist medical appointments, workforce changeovers and family emergencies don’t happen in off-peak windows,” Cr Middleton said.
“These are fixed-life realities for regional families, and this policy specifically raises costs at the exact times people have the least flexibility.”
The Shire also warned that higher peak fares will make it harder to attract and retain essential workers across health, education, child protection and community services.
“Every additional barrier to affordable regional travel makes it harder to staff the very services our communities rely on.”
Under the revised scheme, what constitutes a high-demand period will be determined between the State Government and airlines, creating added uncertainty for regional residents who rely on predictable travel costs.
Cr Middleton said while the original airfare cap delivered much-needed relief, the changes weaken support for those who rely on it most.
“The East Pilbara helps power the State’s economy. Transport policy, road investment and regional affordability all have to reflect that reality.”
“We welcome the continuation of capped fares and encourage the Government to ensure they remain in place at a level that genuinely supports residents. If well-priced flights are achievable on the east coast, why not regional WA? We certainly have the flight volume and the passenger demand — that’s not the issue.”
For regional WA, this is critical to liveability.
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