Regional Airports Financial Sustainability Survey 2026
Regional aviation has been facing immense challenges, with many airports continuing to absorb rising costs to keep their communities connected.
In 2026, the AAA and Regional Capitals Australia commissioned ACIL Allen to undertake the Regional Airports Financial Sustainability Survey, examining the financial position of regional airports across Australia. The report found 73 per cent of surveyed regional airports recorded an operating loss in 2024-25, with a median loss of $519,000. It also found 67 per cent had deferred or delayed capital investment, while 85 per cent reported limited ability to invest in service-enabling infrastructure.
The findings reinforce the essential role regional airports play in supporting emergency services, health access, freight, tourism, business travel and local jobs.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy Position
To position the AAA and its members as leaders and enablers of sustainable aviation through advocacy for a nationally consistent, internationally aligned SAF position. The position, created in 2026, seeks to ensure airports are recognised in the SAF value chain, enable airport decarbonisation, fuel resilience and unlock further investment.
Deloitte Access Economics Report
Australia’s airports are a vital part of Australia’s economic and social fabric. Our network of airports connect Australia to the world, and indeed given our geography, provide the only practical means of travel for many journeys.
Taking Flight: The economic and social contribution of Australia’s airports, commissioned by the Australian Airports Association, demonstrates the economic importance of Australia’s airports in 2022 in terms of value added to the national economy and supported employment, capturing activity associated with airport precinct activity, and facilitated tourism and trade.
Disaster Resilience and Regional Airports Workshop Report
Regional airports play a critical role in supporting communities during disasters, enabling evacuations, delivering essential supplies and assisting emergency responders.
Drawing on workshops held across Australia in 2024, this report identifies the disaster resilience needs and priorities of regional airports. It highlights opportunities to strengthen infrastructure, emergency planning, training and coordination, and recommends a nationally consistent, risk-based approach to ensure airports are better prepared to respond to and recover from future disasters.