Business
23 October, 2025
Katter concerned sale of Rex won't benefit Outback passengers
The Member for Trager believes regional Queensland needs a better model than the one currently in place.
Robbie Katter has voiced strong criticism of the sale of Rex Airlines, warning that regional Queenslanders deserve better than “the same old failures” from yet another change in ownership.
While welcoming any move that secured the future of regional air services, the Member for Traeger said Rex in its current form had not delivered for people living in the Gulf and North West.
Mr Katter said the sale to new American owners raised serious questions about whether the airline would finally provide the reliable, affordable service that remote communities need.
“We have seen too many operators and owners come and go, and it’s remote and rural Queenslanders who suffer the most when services abruptly stop or just don’t arrive as scheduled,” he said.
“The aircraft and the operating model simply don’t deliver up here. There are Australian-based operators more than ready to pick up the routes if only the Queensland government tipped Rex off the contract.”
The KAP leader said the sale was an opportunity for genuine reform rather than a repeat of past mistakes.
“Reliability is key when it comes to attending medical appointments or attracting specialist staff to remote communities,” he said.
“If the new owners want to prove they’re serious about serving regional Australia, then it starts with a proper service model that works for the Gulf.”
Mr Katter has also renewed his call for set-priced, resident-only fares to make air travel more accessible for locals.
“Brisbane can have their 50-cent fares, but there is no 50-cent bus from Doomadgee to Mount Isa or from Hughenden to Townsville,” he said.
“The price should be in the order of $200, and that would be the price regardless of the demand from out-of-town service providers.
“This would connect communities, drive usage by residents, and provide greater sustainability for the operators of the Gulf and North West routes.”
The MP said both state and federal governments could no longer ignore the growing crisis in regional aviation.
“There comes a time when we must have a good look at existing policy and ask the hard questions – is this really working? Both state and federal governments cannot keep putting their head in the sand and hoping that an operator will miraculously be able to run these routes sustainably,” Mr Katter said.
“A new, fit-for-purpose model focused on remote and rural communities and service delivery is urgently needed.”