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The peak body for airports has signed a memorandum of understanding with an alliance of regional cities to push for more support for regional aviation.
The Australian Airports Association has joined forces with Regional Capitals Australia to advocate for “fairer airfares, stronger connectivity and more sustainable airports” ahead of this year’s Productivity Commission and Senate inquiries into regional air transport.
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“Regional airports are critical national infrastructure, but many are operating under intense financial pressure,” said AAA chief executive, Simon Westaway.
“This MOU recognises that airports and the communities they serve are facing the same structural challenges – including high regulatory costs, ageing infrastructure and limited access to sustainable funding.
“By working closely with Regional Capitals Australia, we can bring together airport-level evidence and regional community impacts to make a stronger, more credible case to government at a time when major policy decisions are being made.
“If we want affordable, reliable air services for regional Australia, we need to ensure airports are financially viable and appropriately supported to deliver the services communities rely on.”
The two organisations will work together on opportunities to progress shared priorities, including securing ongoing viability of regional routes, obtaining recurring federal funding for capital and operational security costs at regional airports, and resolving “inequitable security requirements that impose city-level costs on low-risk regional airports”.
According to RCA chair and mayor of Dubbo Regional Council, Josh Black, the upcoming government inquiries present a “once-in-a-decade opportunity” to bring regional communities to the forefront of discussions on “more equitable aviation”.
“Regional airports are the lifeblood of regional communities – critical to health, education, tourism, trade and disaster response and resilience,” he said.
“Yet the financial viability of regional airports is constantly under threat, with sustainability often propped up by local government rates rather than state of federal funding sources.
“Regional communities are paying not only higher average airfares but also for the costs of keeping airports open through their local rates.
“Decisions made this year will likely shape the next decade, determining whether regional air services become more reliable, more equitable and more future-ready – or whether the current fragile state continues.”
The move comes as the federal government opens applications for funding to regional airports affected by Rex’s voluntary administration.
