Canberra MP Gai Brodtmann says the federal government is showing contempt for Canberra in failing to intervene on high rates of flight cancellations to and from the capital.
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Last month Canberra Airport boss Stephen Byron called on Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate cancellations three times worse than industry standards on services between Sydney and Canberra.
Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development statistics showed flights between Canberra and Sydney topped the nation for cancellations in September, reaching 8.1 per cent.
The number of cancellations and delays are well above the national long-term cancellation rate of 1.4 per cent.
October data showed Qantas cancelled 8.8 per cent of its flights, impacting as many as 6000 people travelling on the route.
Virgin Australia cancelled 2 per cent of its flights in the period, while the overall cancellation rate for Canberra to Sydney was 6.6 per cent.
Mr Chester said last month the Coalition government was seeking answers about the higher than usual rates of cancellations but federal intervention wasn't warranted.
He said the government would continue to monitor the situation, while many passengers use social media to complain about repeated cancellations.
In a speech to Parliament on Monday, Ms Brodtmann said residents, public servants and visitors flying to Canberra deserved better.
"That's 6000 people who are paying a premium price, some spending hundreds of dollars for flights between Canberra and Sydney and being left stranded," she said.
"Canberrans missing work, Canberrans missing meetings, Canberrans missing weddings, Canberrans missing concerts, Canberrans missing sporting events, Canberrans missing funerals, Canberrans missing anniversaries and birthdays.
"This is simply not good enough."
Qantas Link chief operating officer Jenny Chamberlain says airline is disappointed with the cancellation rates, as services fall below the company's own standards.
The carrier has adjusted some of its domestic flights to improve reliability to and from Canberra and is using more 737s instead of smaller 717 aircraft as part of efforts to add about 60 seats on every flight.
"Canberra Airport called for the Turnbull government and the consumer commission to step in when airlines having a higher than average flight cancellation rate," Ms Brodtmann told Parliament.
"What was the response from the government? That it would monitor the situation. On-time flight statistics are published by the government so it's up to the Turnbull government to make sure airlines are accountable for their performance.
"The Turnbull government's inaction on this issue lets airlines off the hook and underscores yet again their complete and utter contempt for Canberra."
