Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said he is pleased with the announcement by Rex Airlines this morning they have relisted tickets for sale after November 13 and confirmation that services to Coober Pedy will continue.

“It is great news for residents, businesses and tourist operators,” he said.

“The uncertainty created by CASA’s ruling that the Coober Pedy airstrip did not meet regulations and would have to be widened to allow air services to continue after November 13 this year caused stress in the community with tourists, community members and medical services.

“Until this announcement people were unable to book flights to and from Coober Pedy after November 13. The agreement by Rex and CASA is conditional on the council widening the strip. It should not come back on council to fund the majority of this project and I have already had a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss to discuss a significant contribution from the Commonwealth. We would be planning to partner the state government to ensure the service can continue unimpeded into the future”.

“In the meantime CASA has announced it will not impose any restrictions subject to the runway works being completed expeditiously and to a mutually agreed time frame.”