MEDIA RELEASE 9 May 2015 AAA WELCOMES SIGNIFICANT BOOST TO REGIONAL AND REMOTE AIRPORT FUNDING Today the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Warren Truss MP, has announced that the Government will be providing close to an additional $40 million over the next four years to fund essential regional and remote airport infrastructure upgrades through the Remote Airstrip Upgrade program. The continued support of this program is warmly welcomed by the Australian Airports Association (AAA), as it will allow for many regional and remote airports to obtain the funding they desperately need to ensure they can remain operational and facilitate essential community services. ‘The Association is very pleased that the Commonwealth Government has decided to continue funding such an important and valuable program for the airport industry and regional Australia,’ said Ms Caroline Wilkie, CEO of the Australian Airports Association. ‘Without access to this essential Government support, many regional and remote airports would be unable to finance the critical runway and infrastructure upgrades that are essential for community services such as the Royal Flying Doctor.’ This announcement follows a combined effort from the AAA, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), to provide a united voice to the Commonwealth Government to ensure that this funding was continued into the future, as it was due to expire this financial year. ‘Beyond their immediate economic footprint, airports play an important social role in connecting individuals, families and communities with the rest of the country by providing critical infrastructure links to our regional and remote communities,’ Ms Wilkie said. ‘The importance of maintaining these links through aviation cannot be understated. While many of us take comfort in knowing that hospitals and fire services are only a short drive from our homes, people in remote areas are rarely afforded this luxury’. In 2014 the Remote Airstrip Upgrade program provided close to $9 million in funding for over 42 separate projects. The AAA looks forward to the next funding round for 2015-16 being equally successful and thanks the Commonwealth Government for its continued commitment to the airport industry and regional Australia. <ENDS> About the Australian Airports Association: The Australian Airports Association has been representing airports across the country for the past 30 years. It represents 260 airport members, including all the capital city airports through to the small regional aerodromes of rural Australia. www.airports.asn.au Media Enquires: Contact: Caroline Wilkie, CEO 0419 777 338 or [email protected]