When you live on a speck of land in the Indian Ocean a kilogram of essential supplies makes a world of difference.
That is what residents are telling Qantas after the airline announced it would slash luggage allowances and raise prices on its twice-weekly route to Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) islands.
In November last year Qantas won the tender for operating flights to the territories after nearly a decade in the hands of Virgin Australia.
“There isn’t another town down the road, there isn’t another carrier that we can jump on and utilise,” said Tracey Krepp, who has lived on Christmas Island for 34 years.
“We are now being even more penalised for living on a remote island.”
Prices for additional baggage will go up by 208 per cent. (ABC News: Chris Lewis)
From October 1, those travelling between Perth and Australia’s two most distant territories can check in a 23-kilogram bag included in their ticket.
An additional piece of checked luggage may only be purchased on arrival at the airport, with a maximum weight allowance of 46kg.
Under previous arrangements, customers were given a 30kg included allowance and there was no limit on the additional baggage one could purchase for a cheaper rate.
The cost of buying the extra baggage is also set to increase from $3.33 per kg to $10.26/kg — a 208 per cent jump.
A Qantas spokesperson acknowledged how important it was for residents to be able to bring items from the mainland but said the changes would boost tourism.
“We have adjusted our baggage policy on Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) island routes to help manage aircraft weight, minimise baggage offloads and increase the number of seats available, and therefore maximise tourism opportunities for the islands,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Supply chain struggles
Unreliable freight services and luggage left behind for weeks have long plagued the Indian Ocean territories.
Qantas will cut luggage allowances, increase prices to places like the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. (Supplied: Chris Bray)
Locals depend on the commercial flights, a fortnightly airfreight of fresh produce, and a six-weekly cargo ship of long-lasting products.
All three are often waylaid by weather and logistical delays.
When Qantas won the tender it spruiked the prospect of lower prices, as well as another 5,000 passengers and 200 tonnes of airfreight per year.
Ms Krepp said Qantas had gone backwards on those promises.
“We’re struggling to get seats, freight is back-logged … and the cost of tickets are a concern,” she said.
Ms Krepp said Christmas Island residents would gather on Saturday to collectively voice their concerns. (Supplied)
‘Rightfully outraged’
Indian Ocean territories (IOT) administrator Farzian Zainal, the first island-born person to hold the position, said the situation was unique.
“Baggage is a critical part of travel for the Indian Ocean territories and it impacts everyone from residents to small businesses, tourists and visitors,” she said.
“The community is rightfully frustrated and outraged.
“We can’t apply a mainland lens to the baggage situation.”
Farzian Zainal said Qantas was applying a “mainland lens” to the challenges of the Indian Ocean territories. (ABC Pilbara: Mietta Adams)
The federal member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, which includes the islands, as well as being the special envoy for remote communities, slammed Qantas’s unilateral approach.
“This was a bad decision from Qantas, with no communications or consultation with people in the community,” she told the ABC.
“Regional areas are suffering because airlines with a monopoly like Qantas are treating people with contempt, and that shouldn’t happen.”
Ms Scrymgour has penned a letter to Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson calling for the decision to be reversed. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
Ms Scrymgour said she has sent a letter to Qantas chief Vanessa Hudson and members of the federal government.
In a statement, Minister for Territories Krity McBain said the commercial flights were subsidised to ensure islanders could have affordable access to air services to and from the mainland.
“This baggage policy change is an operational decision by Qantas, and I understand that the IOT administrator and Marion Scrymgour MP are both strongly representing the clear views of the community to Qantas,” Ms McBain said.