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The NSW state government has launched the NSW Take Off Fund, a $12.5 million program that will support aviation capacity and airlines that will launch new or additional services in the state.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper, said that the state government is continuing to “back the aviation industry”, with this most recent fund following the $16 million Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund that was introduced in March this year.
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“NSW is competing on a global stage for new air routes, and the NSW Take Off Fund gives us the tools to stay ahead,” he said.
“By partnering with airports and airlines, we’re building the aviation capacity that will keep growing our visitor economy for decades to come.”
Building on the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy, the state is continuing to invest in programs and funds like these to support the aviation industry and the state’s international airports (Sydney, Western Sydney and Newcastle) to secure major routes and create tens of thousands of jobs.
“This strategy will help us unlock opportunities and partner with the private sector to deliver an additional 8.5 million aviation seats, 40,400 new accommodation rooms and 150,000 new jobs,” Minister Kamper said in August.
NSW has seen major growth for airlines and routes through funds like these, with Sydney Airport adding new international routes including Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) and Shanghai (Juneyao Air), Air New Zealand commencing services from Auckland in mid-2027 from WSI, and new routes secured from Perth (Qantas), Hobart (Jetstar) and Denpasar (Jetstar) at Newcastle.
“New South Wales aviation continues to build real momentum, backed by Sydney Airport’s strong performance, Newcastle Airport’s expansion, and the countdown to Western Sydney International opening next year,” said Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond.
“Government support like this gives the industry a platform to thrive in what has become one of the most competitive travel markets worldwide.”
The strategy aims to generate $91 billion in annual visitor expenditure by 2035, which Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter said “will only help these [aviation] businesses grow”.
“The aviation industry remains a key driver of NSW’s visitor economy, and it can be improved. The way to achieve that is through healthy, robust competition for customers and reliable, affordable service,” he said.
To apply for the fund, eligibility will see NSW airports required to seek new or expanded services, routes that serve NSW as priority markets globally, and new routes operating three services a week.
