Landing fee waiver to help propel RFDS future

The Royal Flying Doctors Service will have extra cash in hand at the end of the year, following a landing fee agreement with the Port Hedland International Airport.

The airport’s board recently decided to waive the service provider’s annual landing fees, to the tune of more than $125,000, as part of its commitment to give back to the community.

PHIA chairwoman Cheryl Edwardes said it was an important decision and an equally easy decision to make.

“The Royal Flying Doctor Service is a great support network for the community and our staff are members of the community, so from the board’s perspective that’s part of us giving,” she said.

Airport chief executive Mitchell Cameron said giving the RFDS support was a key part of the decision.

“Port Hedland International Airport is one of the key bases for RFDS so we see it as a key strategic partnership with them,” he said.

“We work very closely with the RFDS operationally on the airfield and we co-operate with everything they do on-site so it’s natural synergies with what we’re doing to develop the airport and support the communities.”

RFDS executive general manager corporate affairs Nick Harvey said the move would assist in ensuring the RFDS could continue to provide its lifesaving services to WA.

“The RFDS has been providing lifesaving aero medical care to the Port Hedland community for over 80 years, with 19 staff and their families currently residing in town,” he said.

”The support from the Port Hedland International Airport will therefore contribute significantly to the services we deliver to those in need.”