New freedoms for international services to regional ports

The Rudd government has announced a new policy which will encourage international airlines to operate more services through regional international airports.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese announced that international airlines which make stops through regional airports, such as Darwin, Cairns and Broome, will be able to operate onward services to the main gateway cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth without it counting towards their entitlement. Similarly, foreign airlines will be free to operate services from regional airports to nearby countries including New Zealand and islands in the Pacific.