The Government should ensure the recently released Aviation White Paper changes regarding aviation security measures does not affect regional aviation, The Nationals Member for Riverina, Kay Hull, has advised.

Under the current settings, airports which only land jet turbine powered aircraft, as opposed to turbo propeller powered aircraft, are exempt from certain security measures, including compulsary passenger and baggage screening for RPT and open charter services.

The new rules stipulate that passenger and baggage screening are compulsary for both jet turbine powered aircraft and turbo propeller powered aircraft providing RPT services, as they will now be assessed on their maximum take off weight, as opposed to the type of aircraft.

Currently, the Wagga Wagga, Narrandera and Griffith airports do not have to pass these security measures, as they do not host jet turbine powered aircraft.

“If the Aviation White Paper’s changes regarding aviation security measures results in regional airports having to implement security upgrades, I would call on the Government to cover the cost of these security upgrades, just as the previous Howard Government did when they introduced stricter security measures,” Mrs Hull said.  

“If they do not, regional flight prices will rise dramatically, due to the increased costs to the airlines having to land at these airports,” Mrs. Hull said.