Infrastructure News

Australia provides over $180M to support international aviation industry

Eliza Sayon Sep 20, 2021

2 min read

Over $183.65 million has been committed to helping maintain Australia’s sovereign international aviation capability as the country plans to reopen its international borders.

With the pandemic negatively impacting the aviation industry for 18 months, the International Aviation Support program and the International Airport Security Charges Rebate program were launched to help Australia’s international passenger airlines maintain core international aviation jobs and meet costs associated with mandated security requirements.

The $183.65 million funding package to support the aviation industry includes the following:

$119.65 million to extend the International Aviation Support program by five months to 31 March 2022; and
$64 million for aviation security screening cost rebates for Australia’s major international airports from October 1 2021 to 31 March 2022.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Australian Government was focused on helping the aviation industry recover strongly from the pandemic.

“Australia’s aviation industry will play a vital role in our economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“As a driver of so many sectors of our economy, it is essential that the industry is ready to ramp up operations when international restrictions are eased. It’s also important that the sector continues operating now, to maintain the flow of exports and imports and bring Australians home from overseas.”

The provided funding for the rebates for major international airports will help ease their financial burdens until the demand for air travel overseas increases. By supporting the aviation industry, Australia will be able to reap the economic benefits of international travel once restrictions are eased.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the Australian Government had provided extensive support to the aviation sector throughout the pandemic.

“Our Government is providing the necessary support to our aviation sector to ensure Australians can travel, with confidence, when the international border opens,” Minister Tehan said.

“Australia’s tourism industry is a vital part of our economy and our airlines and airports will be essential as we welcome back international visitors to support the 600,000 jobs and businesses reliant on tourism.”

The Australian Government has now provided more than $5.1 billion in assistance to the aviation industry since the pandemic began.

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Media Release. Content has been edited for style and length.

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.