Airservices Australia Enroute Charges Payment Scheme

The aim of this program is to provide regional and remote communities with access to essential air services that can in turn connect these smaller communities with the rest of Australia. The Scheme supports regional commercial airlines operating low volume and new routes to regional and remote communities; as well as aeromedical providers.

The Government's policy for aviation encourages the growth of regional aviation services across Australia and the expansion of the current network by giving impetus for operators to test whether a new route can be commercially viable in time.

To be eligible for the commercial passenger component of the program:
    The airline has a current Australian air transport (formerly Regular Public Transport (RPT) Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) that authorises scheduled air transport operations on the route and authorises the aircraft / aircraft type for air transport services;
    Services are to be operated as scheduled air transport operations (charter services are NOT eligible);
    The route is to be to/from a Regional or Remote location, as defined by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC);

• The route is serviced by a single operator;
• The route has no more than 15,000 passenger movements per annum;
• The route does not otherwise receive a subsidy for flight costs from any level of government;
• The proposed route is shown to have an economic and/or social impact on the community; and
• The aircraft type used on the route has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 15,000Kg or less.

Applicants flying commercial routes can obtain assistance of up to 60 per cent of the enroute charge; and up to 100 per cent for new routes for a period of up to three years

To be eligible for the aeromedical component of the program:

• The airline can demonstrate its engagement as a contracted aeromedical provider;
• The airline has an AOC that authorises these services;
• The aeromedical services are conducted using aircraft listed on the airline's AOC as being for this purpose;
• The aircraft used has a MTOW of 15,000Kg or less; AND
• Services operated by the airline are anticipated to include services to/from a Regional or Remote location, as defined by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC).

Please refer to the Guidelines for more details on Eligibility.