Media Release
15th December 2003

New Air Services

Finally the people of Western Australia have their own home grown regional airline dedicated to servicing the unique requirements of the people they serve. Skippers, based at Perth Airport, have launched services catering to the specific needs of WA business and holiday travellers.

Scheduled flights start January 1st  2004 to  Shark Bay with Geraldton & Kalbarri commencing from January 29th 2004.

Utilising a fleet of modern & fast turbo prop aircraft Skippers is set to provide a viable alternative for the traveller interested in supporting a locally focussed airline.

The privately owned state of the art Skippers terminal is discretely located away from the hectic bustle of the “common user domestic terminal”, yet still maintains all of the facilities and services passengers expect.

Security car parking, hire car facilities, taxi services and a courtesy shuttle for transiting passengers all form part of the overall commitment Skippers’ has to the travelling public.

Skippers Chief Executive Officer, Rob Swann, said the service has been a long time coming.

``We have spent considerable time over the last few weeks coordinating with the Department of Planning plus local and state Governments to reach an agreement on our limited allowable schedules.“

Mr Swann said Skippers had concentrated on determining what the community specifically wanted in a regional airline, rather then forcing them to compromise with whatever happened to be on offer.

``I want to enforce Skippers will remain regionally focussed, ‘’ Mr Swann said. 

``Our target is not wholly based on Perth passengers but encompasses the needs of the entire region.’’

He said Skippers was focused on those areas valued by passengers including schedule, flight frequency, safety, terminal facilities plus user friendly booking systems.

Reversing the current airline trend, passengers booking tickets directly with Skippers will not be charged for the privilege when using the “Reservation Hotline”. “Charging people to do business with us just doesn’t make a lot of sense” said Mr Swann. “We have a great team of people eager to help our passengers get the best deal and can understand that not everyone wants to book on the “net” or with a travel agent”.

He said that Skippers was keen to maximise the accessibility of tickets and would be actively promoting the use of the website as well as local travel agents.

“It’s all about personal preference,” Mr Swann said. Tickets go on sale from Wednesday 17th December via the Reservation Hotline or travel agents and through the internet by Friday 19th December 2004.

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For further information, please contact:
Rob Swann (08) 9478 3989