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Failure to launch: KNX to MEL 2020 flights cancelled

Staff ReportersThe Kimberley Echo
Melbourne Skyline from the Southbank
Camera IconMelbourne Skyline from the Southbank Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The direct flight trail between Kununurra and Melbourne has been deferred to 2021 in response to coronavirus travel restrictions.

The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley made the announcement today, after councillors agreed to the decision behind closed doors at its ordinary council meeting on March 24.

SWEK president David Menzel said given the current circumstances with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, the direct flight trial this year is no longer viable.

Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley president David Menzel.
Camera IconShire of Wyndham-East Kimberley president David Menzel. Credit: Cally Dupe/The Kimberley Echo

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“Council considered all the current developments with regard to the COVID-19 virus and the impacts on the Melbourne to Kununurra direct flights trial,” he said.

“The impact of COVID-19 has significantly changed the business conditions in which the flight trial operates and the assumptions that the trial was based on are now no longer valid.”

The trial was designed to give stakeholders an accurate picture of what direct flights would look like for a more permanent air service route, but the data required to determine its success would be unusable due to the impacts of COVID-19 on both the economy and tourism locally.

Popular East Kimberley tourist attraction Emma Gorge at El Questro Wilderness Park.
Camera IconPopular East Kimberley tourist attraction Emma Gorge at El Questro Wilderness Park. Credit: WA Tourism

Cr Menzell said the Shire would seek an agreement between the relevant partners involved in the trial to agree in principle to defer the trial to 2021. Details relating to refunds for flights already paid for will be announced in the coming days.

East Kimberley Marketing Group acting chairman Charlie Sharpe said until recently the forward ticket sales for the duration of the 2020 trial flights had been exceeding expectations leading up to the inaugural flight, which was scheduled to land in Kununurra on the May 16 this year.

“After nearly six years of tireless negotiation with a myriad of stakeholders, 2020 was to be the beginning of a new era for air access into and out of the fabulous East Kimberley,” he said.

East Kimberley Marketing Group acting chairman Charlie Sharpe.
Camera IconEast Kimberley Marketing Group acting chairman Charlie Sharpe. Credit: Tom Zaunmayr/Kimberley Echo

“Unfortunately, as much as it has become evident that the direct Melbourne flights trial would be a great success, it would only be possible if it was not for the current COVID-19 outbreak across the globe.

The East Kimberley Marketing Group has planned to contact everyone in the community who pledged financial support for this service and will be offering these funds to be paid back in full.

“We understand the reimbursement of these funds is likely to provide much needed financial relief to those who are suffering from the current shutdown impacting many businesses and individuals.”

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