STATE SHOULD HELP MT HOTHAM FLIGHTS: HALL

Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall has called for the state government to explore ways by which commercial airline flights might be reinstated to Mount Hotham for the 2008 ski season.

Qantas has been flying into the ski resort, which has the country’s highest air strip at 1295 metres, but announced recently that it was cutting the service in 2008 because of a lack of pilots. According to the Mt Hotham website, the reason is “higher than normal pilot attrition rate.”

It also states that QantasLink anticipates services will recommence from Sydney and Melbourne for the 2009 snow season.
 However, Mr Hall said that still provides an issue for this year and he called for Government assistance in Parliament last week.

“I seek the assistance of the Minister for Tourism and Major Events in regard to airline services to Mount Hotham,” he said.

“Victoria's snowfields are a great generator of tourism activity, particularly in our winter months (and) access to the snowfields has been enhanced in recent times with regular Qantas commercial flights to Mount Hotham.”

Mr Hall said with Qantas advising the Mt Hotham Skiing Company that it was withdrawing services this year, some locals have approached other airline companies to discover whether they may be interested in taking the service.

“Apparently at this stage none of those companies has indicated a willingness to do so. Given the importance of tourism to Victoria, particularly winter tourism in our snowfields, I request that the minister meet with airline operators and explore means by which an airline service to Mount Hotham might be reinstated.”

According to the Mt Hotham website, the Airport will remain open for the 2008 season to cater for general aviation services provided through a range of charter operators from Sydney and Melbourne. 

The Skiing Company is working with QantasLink to provide other options for guests via Albury Airport.

Mr Hall said with Albury located approximately 2.5 hours drive from the resort, the service was not comparable with the flights in. He urged the State Government to do all it could to provide an alternative

Media contact:                  Peter Hall      (03) 5174 7066   or 0427 747 066