The Federal Labor Government will provide grants of up to $110,000 to airlines flying to small and remote tourism destinations like Kangaroo Island to help them get ready for new, increased aviation security measures.

 

From July 1 this year, the Government will require a number of regional airports to have security screening of passengers and baggage for the first time.

 

Many small and remote airports cannot afford the purchase and upkeep of screening equipment, especially considering the bulk of traffic is infrequent flights run by regional airlines for tourism or fly-in-fly-out mining operations.

 

Eligible tourism operators and regional airlines will be able to purchase small portable passenger screening kits that can be carried on board and used at remote locations where screening would not otherwise be available.

 

It means tourists, miners and others can keep flying to remote places like Kangaroo Island, Lake Eyre, Coober Pedy, Birdsville, King Island, Bourke, and Broken Hill.

 

The introduction of screening technology is being funded by the Federal Government’s $200 million Strengthening Aviation Security Initiative.