Low uptake of Geraldton capped airfares revealed as first figures of State Government programs released

Geraldton residents are yet to get on board with cheap airfares to Perth, with figures showing only 50 people booked capped price flights on the local route in the first month of the State Government program. That amounts to just more than 1 per cent of all capped flights booked in WA under the regional program. The low uptake is in stark contrast to Karratha, which leads the way with 1200 fares out of the 4400 booked since the program was launched. The capped fare program, announced in April, introduced a $199 one-way cap for destinations less than 1000km driving distance from Perth from July 1. It means residents in the Mid West will be paying a maximum of $398 for a return trip to Perth. Regional destinations more than 1000km distance from Perth, such as Karratha, will have a $299 one-way cap. City of Greater Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn said it would take time for the program to gain popularity. “Once the residents get accustomed to how they book them, I’m sure there’ll be extremely popular,” he said. Mr Van Styn said places such as Karratha already had a residential airfare scheme in place for a year before the capped airfares were introduced. “The problem is in Geraldton you’ve got the option of the road or the bus, unlike places like Karratha, Port Hedland and Exmouth,’ he said. “So it’s a harder sell but I think over time people that are flying will definitely be taking advantage of it.” He acknowledged the lack of effective communication about the capped airfares could be a contributing factor to the low uptake. “I get personally messaged almost daily with requests as to how they book the fares,” he said. “But in light of all the cancellations and all the problems we’re facing, there’s just so much Qantas information to digest out there. At the moment, I can understand how people get a bit confused.” The next set of figures is set to be released in September and Mr Van Styn expects this to paint a clearer picture. “We just don’t seem to be able to get the messaging through to the flying public but over time that’ll change,” he said.