- 35% surge in flight cancellations in December 2023
- Inquiry needed to tackle reasons for excessive cancellations, delays and exorbitant prices
- 135 flights cancelled due to lack of air traffic controllers (62% increase on November)
- 72% of delays at Brisbane Airport in December due to AirServices Australia staff shortages
The combined impact of the shortage of air traffic controllers, severe storms and continued poor performance by airlines saw a 35 per cent jump in flight cancellations in December 2023.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie said thousands of Australian families travelling for summer holidays have been severely disrupted as a result of Labor’s failure to address poor service in the aviation sector.
Official data released by the Federal transport department show 2,262 flights were cancelled in December 2023, a 35 per cent increase on November 2023.
Senator McKenzie said 322 fewer flights were flown in December to accommodate the holiday plans of Australian families as a result of the surge in cancellations, despite an additional 267 flights being originally scheduled when compared with the previous month.
“High airfare prices (72% higher than in May 2022), and the unacceptably high number of flight cancellations and delays demand answers from the Albanese Government, and if it is not prepared to act, we will by seeking to hold an inquiry,” Senator McKenzie said.
“While severe storms clearly impacted flights to Cairns and Queensland in December, the Government cannot blame the weather for poor performance.”
“The busy Melbourne-Sydney route was one of the worst performing in December with almost one in ten flights cancelled (9.3 per cent).”
“The Government’s aviation regulator was responsible for about 135 cancelled flights in December because of a failure to roster adequate air traffic controllers, a 62 per cent increase on flights cancelled due to AirServices Australia in November 2023.
“By AirServices Australia’s own admission, their poor performance was responsible for six per cent of cancellations, 16 per cent of ground delays nationally and 72 per cent of delays at Brisbane Airport in December.
“It is not acceptable for the government to continue being responsible for such a high level of disruption to the travelling public.
“There is little evidence the Albanese Labor Government has achieved anything practical to improve the air traffic control service which is so vital to supporting safety and efficiency in Australia’s aviation sector.
Senator McKenzie said the public have lost patience with both the government and airlines to fix chronic delays and cancellations in the aviation sector.
“Today’s data shows there is an urgent need for an inquiry into the aviation industry.
“Improvements to airline performance could be made overnight if the Government acted on the Harris Review into Sydney Airport slots which the Transport Minister has been sitting on for 20 months.
Senator McKenzie said the Coalition will seek to work with cross-bench senators to establish an aviation inquiry when Parliament resumes in February.
“Families are struggling with cost-of-living pressures which have been made worse by this Labor Government, and the last thing they need when planning holidays with the children is for either the airlines or government failing in their core task,” Senator McKenzie said.