Keeping Regional NSW Connected: The Future of Our Airports

02 Jun 2026
Economy Energy Infrastructure

Overview

Regional airports are far more than transport infrastructure. They are economic gateways that connect regional businesses to customers, workers to jobs and communities to essential services. They play a vital role in connecting tourism, freight, agriculture, mining, manufacturing and service industries to customers, workers and investment opportunities.

They also provide critical access to healthcare, education, emergency services and disaster response, helping regional communities remain connected and resilient. A strong and sustainable airport network will be critical to supporting productivity, attracting investment and driving economic growth across regional NSW.

Key Findings

Business NSW's report, Keeping Regional NSW Connected: The Future of Our Airports, highlights growing pressures on regional aviation, including:

  • More than half of regional airports operating at a loss, limiting investment in critical infrastructure.
  • Ageing airport infrastructure and rising operational, regulatory and security costs.
  • High airfares, limited airline competition and declining service levels on regional routes.
  • Constraints on access to Sydney Airport and uncertainty around regional connectivity at Western Sydney International Airport.
  • Workforce shortages across aviation, including pilots, engineers and airport operations staff.
  • Increasing pressure on airports to support emergency response, disaster recovery and climate resilience.

To strengthen regional connectivity, Business NSW is calling for:

  1. Develop a 10-Year Regional Aviation Strategy for NSW
  2. Increase Investment in Regional Airport Infrastructure
  3. Improve Route Sustainability and Regional Connectivity
  4. Protect and Enhance Access to Sydney Airport
  5. Deliver Meaningful Regional Connectivity at Western Sydney International Airport
  6. Address Aviation Workforce Shortages
  7. Support Aviation Decarbonisation and Future Technologies
  8. Improve Data, Coordination and Long-Term Planning

These reforms will help ensure regional businesses and communities remain connected to markets, services and economic opportunities. Download the full report to explore the findings and insights in more detail.

 Download the report 


Leah Tucker Senior Policy Manager, Energy and Infrastructure
Leah is a Senior Policy Manager at Business NSW, specialising in energy, infrastructure and planning, where she develops practical policy solutions to support businesses and communities across NSW.