More services will be available for local customers travelling from Merimbula and Moruya to Sydney following deregulation of air routes. 

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and Member for Bega Andrew Constance said the NSW Government will deregulate the Merimbula and Moruya to Sydney air routes, which will allow airlines to offer better and more services to local customers. 

Mr Constance said the increased competition will “reduce barriers for new entrants to the market and reduce costs to passengers”.

“I am determined to give regions the fair access to essential services they have been crying out for. Greater choice and more air services will have important flow-on benefits to health, education and employment for everyone who lives here,” Mr Constance said.

“Keeping a route regulated does not guarantee it will remain in place, all it does is add unnecessary red tape for regional operators. We are doing everything we can to boost access to the regions, and it is about time Canberra came to the table,” he added.

According to Mr Constance, five extra slots will be added at Sydney Airport, and the slots will be maintained for the exclusive use of regional routes.

“This year, starting with Moruya and Merimbula, we will embark on a program to consider deregulation of nine more intrastate routes around NSW,” Mr Constance said.

Customers are encouraged to provide feedbacks on the Government’s deregulation plan by 28 February 2017 via their local council.