Australian Flying - July 2018

(^14) News
The Australian Airports
Association (AAA) CEO
Caroline Wilkie has
welcomed the allocation
of $28.3 million over the
next four years for remote
airports, but said that the
Federal Budget handed
down in May contained
nothing for the majority of
Australia's regional airports.
A 2016 study found
that 61% of regional
airports had budget
deficits in 2014-15, with
costs exceeding revenues
by an average of 45%
for airports without
RPT services. Nearly
40% of regional airports
anticipated persistent
budget deficits over the
next decade.
Wilkie said the Remote
Airports Upgrade
Program (RAUP)
announcement in May this
year was vital for keeping
remote communities
connected to the major
population centres, but
noted that nearly all
regional airports needed
injections of capital.
“This funding will help
ensure remote airports can
keep their infrastructure
safe and fit-for-purpose,
connecting their
community to essential
emergency services, loved
ones and services only
available in larger regional
and metropolitan centres,"
she said.
“Unfortunately, regional
airports not eligible for
RAUP funding have been
left out of this year’s budget
and we will continue our
campaign to support them
in the year ahead.
“Most regional airports
are owned and operated
by local councils, and 60%
lose money simply trying
to maintain what is mostly
WWII era infrastructure,”
Wilkie said.
“The RAUP is only
available for aerodromes
classified as ‘remote’,
meaning many airports
will simply miss out on
much needed funding.
“More must be done
to break the back of the
infrastructure backlog
facing our regional airport
network to ensure we have
a safe and viable regional
aviation network for all
Australians.”
Airports miss out
on Needed Capital
May's Federal Budget contained more money
for remote airports, but nothing for regional
airport facing huge operating losses.
australianflying.com.au
AUSTRALIAN FLYING July – August 2018
Australia’s #
Electronic Flight Bag
ozrunways.com
Australia's regional airports are vital infrastructure,
but face a funding crisis in the future.
SONYA BOADLE