Source: ABC News Author: 06/22/2009
Subject Concerned: Government
The Western Australian Government says it has decided not to deregulate a number of regional air routes.
The Government had been considering ending Skywest Airlines' exclusive operation of the Perth to Albany and Perth to Esperance routes.
It had been feared if the monopoly was scrapped, the airline could be forced to drop the routes because they would no longer be profitable.
Transport Minister Simon O'Brien's spokesman says deregulating the routes would be unwise in the current economic climate.
He says Skywest's contract has been renewed for 12 months while a long-term arrangement is negotiated.