Senator O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 26 July 1999:

Is Airservices Australia reducing prices for enroute services and changing the enroute pricing framework in the 1999-2000 financial year, if so: (a) by how much will the charges be reduced; (b) what are the changes being made to the enroute pricing framework; and (c) what is the basis for both the price reduction and the changed pricing structure.

Senator Ian Macdonald (Regional Services, Territories and Local Government) —The Minister for Transport and Regional Services has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

Airservices Australia has reduced its enroute prices for 1999/2000.

(a) The price reductions are as follows:

The charges are calculated using the following formulae:

20 tonnes

$5.31 x distance x weight in tonnes 100

20 tonnes

$1.18 x distance x weight in tonnes 100

(b) Airservices advises that at present, no proposals have been developed to change the enroute pricing framework. However, during 1999/2000, Airservices will be developing options for a new enroute pricing framework which dissaggregates services. Airservices will consult with its customers on these options.

(c) Airservices advises that the reduction in enroute prices flows from cost reductions across the enroute network and in associated support functions.