The coronavirus situation has forced airline Regional Express to again extend flight reductions and staff stand downs.
Rex, which flies to 61 destinations and operates in all states, originally announced stand downs would last until it least September 12.
It later extended the period until October 10 and has now pushed it out until October 31.
"In the light of the current rate of infection, the announced intentions of the various state governments concerning lockdowns and border closures and the need for lead time for advanced ticket sales, Rex today announced that it is left with no option but to extend the suspension of its domestic services and reduction of regional services until October 31, 2021," the company said on Monday.
"This will also mean an extension of the stand down period for staff up until this time."
Rex said the new date for resuming most services coincided with when its "customer-facing" staff would be fully vaccinated.
"This will ensure a safer environment for all travel on Rex's network," it said.
"Getting vaccinated is the greatest defence against COVID-19 and the key to the lifting of restrictions, lockdowns and border closures."
IN OTHER NEWS:
The pandemic smashed Rex's 2020-21 financial results.
Revenue fell by 20 per cent to $256.2 million and the company recorded a statutory after tax loss of $4.9 million.
Announcing the results in late August, executive chairman Lim Kim Hai said the airline industry had "never been as badly ravaged in its entire history".
He predicted the first half of the current financial year would be dominated by rolling lockdowns and border closures.
"It is possible that the second half will be struck by further waves of infection given the experience of other highly vaccinated countries," he said.
"As such, the outlook for the year is highly uncertain."
Sean Ford
The Advocate Newspaper, Tasmania. Business, economics, politics, crime.
The Advocate Newspaper, Tasmania. Business, economics, politics, crime.
