Costs and cancellations adding up for fed-up flyers in regional South AustraliaBy Duncan BaileyABy Arj GanesanABC Eyre PeninsulaTopic:Air Transport Industry6m ago6 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 6:20amRex Airlines ended its flights between Whyalla and Adelaide in 2023. (Four Corners: Mat Marsic)In short: Cancellations and the cost of airfares are placing a burden on regional flyers in South Australia.Whyalla City Council forecasts an accumulated loss of nearly $5 million between 2023-24 and 2032-33, primarily due to its airport, as it renews calls for a national security levy to reduce the cost of flying.What's next?Whyalla mayor Phill Stone hopes runway upgrades, which will allow bigger planes to land at Whyalla Airport, will bring prices down.abc.net.au/news/flying-costs-port-lincoln-whyalla-airport-regional-passengers-sa/105216128Link copiedShareShare articleTravellers on the Eyre Peninsula say regular cancellations and the "ridiculous" cost of air fares are making it increasingly difficult to travel to and from Adelaide for appointments and important commitments.During the football season, Ash Dyer-Pietsch splits her time between Adelaide, where she plays for the SANFL, and her home in Port Lincoln.The 29-year-old said regular flight cancellations, delays and high costs were making it increasingly difficult to keep up with her football commitments.Ash Dyer-Pietsch plays for Glenelg Football Club and regularly travels to Adelaide. (Supplied: Ash-Dyer Pietsch)Election essentials:Federal election live updates: Get the latest as the campaign winds upKey election promises from Labor and the CoalitionFind out where your nearest voting centre is and how to fill out the ballot paperThe footballer said having a flight cancelled without warning ahead of a big game also made it "pretty stressful", especially in situations where she was already under pressure trying to get picked to play.The cost of airfares for regional passengers made it hard to justify flying, even for important engagements, Dyer-Pietsch said."It's ridiculous, unless you get a sale when you book months and months out," she said."For people who have to get to Adelaide for family or emergency medical appointments … it's not justifiable to go back and forth at the moment."Something needs to change … I've seen flights up [online] upwards of $500 one way."Qantas declined to comment, however flights on the majority of days in May and from June to the end of the year were available for $199, according to their website.The airline also introduced its Q400 plane to Port Lincoln and Whyalla in Feburary, offering more seats and faster flight times.Rex Airlines were also approached for comment.Whyalla bearing the burdenAt Whyalla airport on the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula, security screening costs have been blamed for both an increase in ticket prices, a drop in passenger numbers and the permanent departure of Rex Airlines.The latest Essential Services Commission of SA (ESCOSA) report on Whyalla labelled the city "unsustainable", and the airport is the council's largest source of debt."Airport operations show an accumulated operating deficit of $2.8 million over the last five years [from 2018-19 to 2022-23]," the report said.Whyalla's council forecasts a loss of nearly $5m between 2023-24 and 2032-33, primarily due to its airport. (Supplied: Whyalla City Council)"With airport operations excluded, the council registers a $1.3m surplus over this period."Between 2023-24 and 2032-33 the council is forecasting an accumulated loss of nearly $5m, primarily due to the Whyalla Airport."Now that Rex Airlines no longer services Whyalla, the council has passed on the $80-per-head security screening fee to Qantas.Prior to the pandemic and before security screening was introduced, about 1,500 passengers travelled through Whyalla Airport per week.That number has now dropped to roughly 900 a week.Mayor Phill Stone has renewed calls for the cost of security screening to be met by the federal government via a national levy.Read more about the federal election:Where the election will be won or lost for Labor or the CoalitionAdd up voters, candidates and pencils in the 2025 federal election numbers quizSee how your views align with the major parties with Vote CompassWant even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverageCatch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on ABC iview and ABC Listen"We've been touting this, pushing this move, ever since day one," he said.It is hoped that runway upgrades at the Whyalla Airport, which will increase the carrying capacity of flights, will help push prices down.However, Mr Stone admitted modelling had not been done to confirm whether this would be the case."A lot of that information would be very much in the hands of the carrier that we wouldn't have access to," he said.Qantas introduced its 74-seater Q400 aircraft into Port Lincoln and Whyalla in Feburary. (ABC Eyre Peninsula: Duncan Bailey)"With larger aircraft a lower cost per head for the carrier … we would see that as a good reason as to why air fares in the future have the potential of being reduced."But that is still going to be a long, long way off." The upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of May.Jacqui Lambie Network backs levyJacqui Lambie Network (JLN) senate candidate for South Australia Rex Patrick is also backing calls for a national levy on security screening and said, if elected, the JLN would introduce a bill in the first sitting week of parliament."Security screening costs should not be a local council cost, it's a national security issue and the cost should be born at a national level where everyone is treated the same," Mr Patrick said.A spokesperson for Transport Minister Catherine King said the federal government had provided funding directly to regional airports to assist them with "security uplift".A spokesperson for Transport Minister Catherine King says the ACCC is monitoring domestic airlines. (AAP: Lukas Coch)"We've also directed the ACCC to monitor domestic airlines because we want to see affordable and reliable airfares for all Australians," the spokesperson said."Rex is the only operator on the Adelaide to Ceduna and Adelaide to Coober Pedy routes, and one of the only airlines servicing Port Lincoln. Without our support, these areas would have been stranded."LoadingLoading...Having trouble seeing this form? Try this link.Posted 6m ago6 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 6:20amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesLittle-known entity comparing Dutton to Trump spends more than $400,000 on political Meta adsTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows A man in front of a billboard which says "the parties are the problem"Vote Compass data reveals key issues for respondents ahead of electionTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows A graphic shows a smartphone screen showing a graph.'It's just a disaster': Motorists describe chaos on M1 after scrap metal spillTopic:Road Accidents and IncidentsPhoto shows A metal shard embedded in a tyreDutton has 'no doubt' Coalition can win this election, as campaigning nears endLIVEPhoto shows Peter Dutton speaks at lectern Erin Patterson sent 'extremely aggressive' texts to estranged husband, court hearsTopic:CourtsPhoto shows A close up photo of Erin Patterson looking over her shoulder wearing glases.Related storiesRenewed calls for federal help to save 'jewel of the north' amid crippling airport costsTopic:Air Transport IndustryPhoto shows An orange and blue building with signs reading Whyalla airportRex blames 'underhanded' and 'devious' council for decision to axe flights from Whyalla to AdelaideTopic:Air Transport IndustryPhoto shows The nose of a two-propellar saab aircraft owned by Rex airlines.Major cash injection for Whyalla foreshore development and airportTopic:SteelPhoto shows An overhead shot of the Whyalla circular jettyRelated topicsAir Transport IndustryAustralian Federal ElectionsFederal GovernmentLocal GovernmentPort LincolnRegional CommunitiesTravel and TourismWhyallaTop StoriesLittle-known entity comparing Dutton to Trump spends more than $400,000 on political Meta adsTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows A man in front of a billboard which says "the parties are the problem"Vote Compass data reveals key issues for respondents ahead of electionTopic:Australian Federal Elections'It's just a disaster': Motorists describe chaos on M1 after scrap metal spillTopic:Road Accidents and IncidentsDutton has 'no doubt' Coalition can win this election, as campaigning nears endTopic:Government and PoliticsErin Patterson sent 'extremely aggressive' texts to estranged husband, court hearsTopic:CourtsJust InCosts and cancellations adding up for fed-up flyers in regional SATopic:Air Transport Industry6m ago6 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 6:20amSnowtown killer's parole bid 'slap in the face', says nephew of victimTopic:Homicide23m ago23 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 6:04amOne Nation staffer reported to corruption watchdog over referrals to law firmTopic:Federal Government33m ago33 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 5:53amHeritage-listed prison building set to become independent schoolTopic:Secondary Education7m ago7 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 6:20amMore Just InBack to top