In respect of the Enroute Charges Rebate Scheme: (a) has the Government decided to axe the Scheme from June 2012; (b) will the Scheme only apply to existing routes and service frequencies from 1 July 2008; (c) will the Scheme be available to (i) an operator resuming a service suspended for a time due to factors like pilot shortage, (ii) an operator running an existing route but with reduced frequencies, and (iii) a new operator taking up a service withdrawn by another that was previously in receipt of the Scheme; and (d) what studies have been conducted by the Government to assess the impact upon regional air services of the decision to cut the Scheme.

(a)   The Government decided as part of the 2008-09 Budget, that this transitional scheme which commenced in 2001 will terminate on 30 June 2012 except for aeromedical operators.

(b)   As part of this decision, assistance for Regular Public Transport (RPT) operators is limited to the existing RPT routes and services frequencies provided by Scheme recipients as at 13 May 2008.

(c)   Assistance is limited to the existing RPT routes and services frequencies provided by operators and supported under the Scheme as at 13 May 2008.

(d)   The Government continues to monitor the state of the regional aviation industry and is considering future policy directions as part of the development of the Aviation White Paper.