Airservices Australia has announced they will waive service fees for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Michael McCormack, joined the RFDS and four other aeromedical operators who will benefit at Canberra Airport to mark the waiver of air navigation charges. The announcement will save RFDS around $2 million each year.
RFDS CEO Dr Martin Laverty said “Donors work hard to raise money for our healthcare charity.
Waiving air navigation charges means donor money will stretch even further. The $2 million annual navigation saving could fund 235 extra RFDS flights, or 15 extra RFDS nurses, or operate the 24 hour RFDS telehealth service. This is great news for country people in the ninetieth year of the RFDS.”
Minister Michael McCormack said the operators work was crucial to people who were based in rural and remote areas and said accessing their services “can mean the difference between life and death for people in remote parts of the country”.
“Aeromedical service providers operate across vast distances, harsh landscapes and in far from ideal conditions,” Mr McCormack said.
Airservices CEO Jason Harfield said the announcement was a further demonstration of the organisation’s mandate to foster and promote civil aviation.
“Airservices is entrusted with, and committed to, fostering a collaborative environment in which the aviation industry thrives. It’s why we place a critical importance on not being an economic or operational impediment to industry growth,” Mr Harfield said.
“Given that these aeromedical operators rely on donations from individuals, organisations and businesses to sustain their operations, we are pleased to offer this support,” he added.
The RFDS looks forward to directing these savings toward better healthcare for country people.
