“That ICPA Qld lobbies the Queensland Government to ensure that airlines operating on regional regulated routes offer reduced airfares to students accessing educational opportunities, such as boarding school and university.”
The Queensland Government regulates air services to 23 regional Queensland communities. Through service contracts with airlines a maximum capped price is achieved on these routes. In remote communities, many children use this service to travel to and from boarding school, requiring multiple flights per year, making these flights akin to the school bus. While we are grateful to have access to the flights, no student or local discount fares are available with our current service provider. Students in metro and larger regional centres do not face these added costs to their education. The current service contracts expire in December 2026 making this an opportune time for ICPA to consult with government about the needs of regional students accessing education away from home.
Case Study
In Winton, where the State School is a bypass school from Year 7, 13 children currently attend boarding school in Townsville. There are no busses or trains to Townsville, only road access or a twice-weekly air service. The current service provider, Rex Airlines, does not offer a local’s discount fare or a student fare, however, reduces its airfare price by $50 if you book within 24 hours of departure. This last-minute booking discount is difficult for boarding families to utilise as arrangements need to be made in advance regarding student transportation, pick up, drop off and liaising with boarding staff. Other regional airline service providers offer discounted locals fairs. A student prices fare, for verified locals, would be a great benefit, allowing families to plan student travel at a discounted rate.
