Australia’s airports

The findings of these two reports will form the basis of the AAA’s advocacy work in 2013. Politicians, regulators, local governments and communities need to understand the value of their airports; that they are critical pieces of infrastructure which facilitate tourism, trade and critical social services. Without them, the economic growth of our communities and nation as a whole would come to a grinding halt.

Decision-makers must keep the protection of our airports in mind when making decisions that impact on airports. The NSW government’s recent approval of the residential development at South Tralee, just outside Canberra and directly under Canberra Airport’s main flightpath, is a clear example of a decision that will negatively impact Canberra Airport’s future growth and the consequential economic growth and prosperity of the surrounding region. By educating people of the importance of airports, the AAA hopes to avoid ill-informed decisions such as this being made in the future.

In the long-term, passenger growth is one of the greatest challenges facing Australian airports over the coming years as they work to build extra capacity to meet that growth. Over the past decade, more than $9 billion has been spent across Australian airports on aeronautical infrastructure. Over the next decade airports expect to spend approximately another $9 billion on privately-funded infrastructure developments at major airports alone.

Airports face a number of challenges as they embark on this next decade of major projects, including managing construction in terminals that often are operating 24/7, increasing expectations of community and stakeholders around consultation and engagement, long-term funding issues, and more. 2012 has been a particularly challenging year for airports across the country, with federal budget measures introduced which cut directly into airports’ bottom lines at a time when they need to be investing in this major infrastructure. Airports will need the support of governments and their local communities as they navigate through these challenges.

The AAA has been the voice of airports across Australia for 30 years. Representing the interests of more than 260 airports and aerodromes Australia-wide and a further 100 corporate members, our role is to facilitate cooperation among all member airports and their many and varied partners in Australian aviation. Just as importantly, the AAA aims to help maintain an air transport system that is safe, secure and sustainable for the benefit of all Australians. A large part of facilitating cooperation is to open communication between the airports and their key stakeholders, such as governments at local, state and federal levels, airport suppliers, and industry partners.

Over the next year you will see the AAA explore these issues and more in greater detail within this new column with the view to raising awareness of the role airports play across the nation at economic and social levels, the regulatory issues and to generate a greater level of dialogue between airports and their stakeholders. We encourage your feedback, discussion and questions as we work together to create a collaborative and productive airport and aviation industry for Australia.

Low-cost jet services to Coffs Harbour airport has been a boon for local tourism. aaa

The AAA hopes to avoid ill-informed decisions.