Tourism and health industries in the Midwest are being hit hard by ongoing flight disruptions and Qantas has announced that cancellations could extend to October.
The warning follows the launch of a $15-million marketing campaign aimed at bringing international tourists back to Western Australia after years of pandemic restrictions.
Qantas scrapped dozens of Geraldton flights from June to August in a bid to manage the impact of COVID-19 related staff absences on operations.
The disruptions were expected to last four weeks, but Qantas confirmed Geraldton travellers would face more cancellations over the next two months.
Some morning flights will also be rescheduled to arrive at midday.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said he was concerned about the inconvenience the new schedules could cause.
"Moving all morning flights into the middle of the day, it really hampers business travellers and health professionals," he said.
"Of course, that ruins a day's worth of work."
'Copped the brunt of it yet again'
Midwest GP Network deputy chairman Ian Taylor described the chronic interruptions as a nightmare for the medical community.
"I feel so angry — it's a disaster," he said.
"We are not being treated fairly."
Dr Taylor said specialists could be forced away from the regions and back to online consults if flight reliability was not restored.
"If specialists want to come to Geraldton they will be forced to say overnight," he said.
Midwest Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Joanne Fabling said Geraldton residents and tourists deserved better.
"[Qantas] has lost a lot of years in experience in laying off staff to reduce costs, but at what cost?
"It's now costing in reputation.
"Geraldton has copped the brunt of it yet again."
Businesses fume as bookings lost
Ms Fabling said the disruption would make travelling doing business in Geraldton less attractive.
"People may see those middle-of-the-day flights and think it's not worth coming up here," she said.
A Geraldton car hire business owner who did not want to be named said the disruptions had already hit him hard.
"Just even recently there was a flight cancelled on Thursday and we lost 15 bookings, so potentially thousands of dollars," he said.
"[The cancellations] are happening quite consistently, which is deterring people from flying here."
Crothers Construction owner Dave Crothers said he travelled from Geraldton to Perth almost 200 times a year but had decided to drive because of reliability issues.
"I have been driving quite a bit, which I don't want to, but I have to because the schedule is not right and I have meetings," he said.
"I do sympathise with business today — Qantas is a business it's not all easy, but they can definitely improve on their communication."
Reliable service will return: Qantas
A spokesperson from Qantas acknowledged the frustration caused by schedule changes.
"Airlines across the country are reducing capacity to improve operational performances after the challenges the industry has experienced in recent months," they said.
"We are committed to returning to double daily flights as our operation stabilises."
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said she understood the frustration many people were experiencing.
"I absolutely understand the importance of regular regional flights and our government is committed to improving transport options for people in regional WA," she said.
