Airline shows its glass jaw in shocking response to mayor's fair criticism

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A Rex flight at the Burnie Airport. Picture file

Rex Airlines' slap back at the King Island mayor was - in one sense - refreshing for its honesty.

We have come to expect big business to heed the advice of their public relations gurus in an attempt to smooth over any ruffled feathers.

They are sensitive to the wider public seeing and judging how they respond to those who are not happy.

To recap, mayor Marcus Blackie did not pull any punches when asked about complaints that the airline was charging more than $1000 for a one-way flight from the island to Burnie.

That is the comment that Rex has taken, well, personally.

"As an elected official, we believe his remarks are irresponsible and reprehensible and is purely political grandstanding at Rex's expense," an airline spokesman said.

This was its reasoning for threatening to ban the mayor from its flights and for reviewing its services to the island.

Frankly, Rex could not be more wrong.

Its demand that the council censure its own mayor "for his flippant remarks that could result in severe economic damage" will be seen for the overreaction it is.

And it would be a surprise if any councillor - not only on King Island but anywhere - was to buckle in the face of such an ultimatum.

Rex also has no high moral ground in referring to "unsophisticated travellers who may have been shocked by the high fares especially if they did not pay attention to the routing of the travel".

Yes, the flight in question was via Melbourne, but that should not excuse such a high fare.

The airline has said it is entitled to try to make a profit, and that's true.

Members of the public are also entitled to express opinions on what they are being asked to pay, and mayors are expected to stand up for their communities.

Rex - which on occasion has been happy to attack others, particularly its major competitor - has shown it has a glass jaw.

It should remember, as all those other big businesses do, that people are watching and judging.

Even if the fare flak was unfair, Rex has not done itself any credit here.

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Born and raised in the North-West, Anthony is committed to sharing the stories that matter to the people of our region.