Mid North Coast residents could face higher airfares and greater difficulty accessing medical care and essential services following Rex Airlines’ decision to suspend Port Macquarie flights.
The airline will suspend its Sydney–Port Macquarie service from 25 October, leaving QantasLink as the sole operator of regular passenger flights on the route.
The decision is expected to have the greatest impact on residents who rely on air travel for specialist medical appointments, hospital treatment, work and family commitments.
Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold has raised concerns about the loss of affordable travel options, particularly for older residents and those unable to make the lengthy drive to Sydney.
“Regional communities depend on reliable and affordable air travel,” Penfold said.
“Whether it is for business, medical appointments, family commitments or tourism, air connections are an essential service, not a luxury.
“While Newcastle Airport offers alternative domestic connections, it does not offer regular direct passenger flights to Sydney, where many Mid North Coast residents need to travel for specialist medical appointments, hospital treatment and other essential services.
“For older residents, people undergoing medical treatment and those who cannot comfortably make the long drive to Sydney, maintaining affordable direct air connections is particularly important.”
The suspension marks another setback for regional aviation, following the withdrawal of Virgin Australia services from Port Macquarie and FlyPelican flights from Taree.
With fewer airlines servicing the region, concerns are growing about the potential for higher ticket prices and reduced accessibility for local passengers.
“My concern is that less competition will mean higher fares for local passengers,” Penfold said.
“I have written to QantasLink to thank the airline for its ongoing commitment to the Mid North Coast, but also to seek an assurance that it will not take advantage of its position by increasing fares simply because passengers no longer have an alternative.
“Regional Australians already pay a premium for so many essential services, they should not be penalised further simply because of where they live.”
The loss of the service could also affect local businesses and tourism operators, with fewer flight options potentially making the region less accessible to visitors and increasing travel costs for businesses.
Rex has blamed sustained high aviation fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, along with insufficient passenger demand to keep the route commercially viable.
The airline has described the suspension as temporary and indicated flights could resume when fuel prices return to commercially sustainable levels.
Penfold acknowledged the financial challenges facing regional airlines but said maintaining reliable connections was critical to the region’s future.
“Rex has a long history of serving regional Australia, and I welcome its commitment to reconsidering the suspension when conditions improve,” she said.
“I sincerely hope we see Rex return to Port Macquarie sooner rather than later.”
She warned that the continued loss of regional flights could have broader consequences for community wellbeing and economic opportunities.
“Every time we lose another regional service, our communities become a little more isolated and our local economy loses another opportunity,” she said.
“Regional Australians deserve the same access to essential services as people living in our capital cities.”
Passengers booked on affected Rex flights from 25 October will be contacted directly and offered a full refund or the option to rebook on an alternative Rex service at no additional cost, subject to availability.
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