The NSW Government has announced applications are open for the $60 million Aviation Attraction Fund program, to build aviation capacity across NSW by supporting airlines to return to the state’s airports.
The Aviation Attraction Fund forms part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. It has been designed to secure international and domestic routes at airports across the state from Sydney to Shellharbour, Moruya to Moree and Broken Hill to Ballina.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the fund would be key to the state’s economic recovery.
“Our Aviation Attraction Fund will commit $60 million in NSW Government funding over two consecutive years to accelerate the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Road to Recovery,” Mr Ayres said.
“It will turbocharge our visitor economy by securing routes to the state’s network of international and domestic airports, delivering significant economic and social benefits through visitor expenditure and job creation at a time when we need it most.
“This program will also facilitate a strong consumer and business-led recovery, providing a significant boost to consumer and business confidence.
“Our airports are the gateway to our state, so supporting the return of airlines to them through the Aviation Attraction Fund is key to achieving our goal of making NSW the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific.”
Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said: “Twenty one airlines stopped flying regular international services to Sydney during the pandemic and we are in a global race to get them back. We also want to support the carriers who stuck with us to keep on re-building - the NSW Government recognises this and should be applauded for their vision.
“Prior to COVID, Sydney Airport generated more than $42 billion in annual economic activity. That creates a big hole in the visitor economy when you consider that we have only recovered 15% of our pre-pandemic international passenger numbers.
“Sydney Airport is proud to co-invest in the Aviation Attraction Fund and we look forward to working with Destination NSW to implement this initiative.”
The Aviation Attraction Fund is open to all domestic and international airlines servicing or planning to service NSW airports and will support activity including:
- Route subsidies and incentives to deliver extra services and passengers, such as passenger service charge discounts
- Strategic marketing support
- Establishment or re-establishment cost subsidies for airlines to operate in NSW, such as office accommodation and relocation payments
Applications for the Aviation Attraction Fund are open until 30 June 2023 and will be managed by Destination NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.
For more information or to submit an application visit https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/aviation-attraction