Wagga coronavirus: Regional Express to maintain Sydney and Melbourne flights with federal funds

The airline had planned major cutbacks on flights during the coronavirus pandemic and had said it was facing closure without external help.

Regional Express announced on Wednesday that three Melbourne-Albury-Wagga and two Sydney-to-Wagga return services per week would be funded via the Regional Airline Network Support program.

The federal program will provide funding to Regional Express to operate 2-3 return services a week to all the destinations in its network for at least six weeks and could be extended up to six months.

Prior to coronavirus restrictions on business and travel, the airline had been running 31 services between Sydney and Wagga and 15 services to Melbourne per week.

Regional Express deputy chairman John Sharp thanked federal Transport Minister and Riverina MP Michael McCormack and the federal government for their support.

"Regional Australia owes the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and the Morrison Government a great debt of gratitude for providing funding to ensure that it continues to receive minimal essential air links to the capital cities for medical, professional and other essential travel needs," Mr Sharp said.

Without this intervention, many smaller regional communities would risk not having any air services at all for at least six months."

In late March, Regional Express warned it might have to halt all its Wagga flights due to passenger demand dropping by 80 per cent amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Qantas also cut its weekly Wagga services by half in response to the crisis.

Mr McCormack said he would continue to work with airlines and airports to maintain regional aviation during the "unprecedented" times created by the pandemic.

"Regional Australians are relying on air services now more than ever, with communities needing access to medicines, medical equipment, critical supplies and essential personnel," he said.

"That's why I was determined to fund the $198 million Regional Air Network Assistance Package, to secure a regional aviation network for locals and others in regional areas during this pandemic.

"I have worked tirelessly as the Member for Riverina and Minister responsible for aviation to ensure our community and those across regional Australia get the services they need.

"Thanks to our funding, REX will continue twice-weekly return flights from Sydney to Wagga and thrice-weekly return flights from Wagga to Melbourne via Albury."

Mr Sharp said the Regional Express would work to rebuild its network over the next few years.

"With the Commonwealth assistance packages for regional carriers in place, we are confident that we will be able to help all regional communities who are willing to work in partnership with us to rebuild their regional air services to their full potential over the next two years," he said.

"Rex will stand by all regional communities that have stood by Rex during this global and national crisis."

Regional Express has also started taking Wagga passengers' temperatures at check-in to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.