AAA CEO: 'Airports have been good corporate citizens during this pandemic'

Australian Airports Association (AAA) welcomed (28-Sep-2020) the extension of the Australia government's Domestic Aviation Network Support (DANS) programme and Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) programme, however urged for additional support to "our struggling airports". AAA CEO James Goodwin said: "In many regional communities, aircraft are often the only public transport system available to residents" and without the assistance, "regional aviation networks would be in danger of becoming commercially unviable for airlines which could result in higher airfares or a complete loss of flights at the local airport". Mr Goodwin said: "Airports have been good corporate citizens during this pandemic, staying open and in many cases reducing or waiving landing fees for airlines despite losing AUD320 million (USD229.6 million) a month in revenue" and noted more than 70% of staff located at regional airports "have been placed on reduced hours, been re-deployed or made redundant". Mr Goodwin called on Australia's Government to "use the Budget to support the costs of essential, government-mandated services such as international and domestic security screening, airfield security and extra COVID-19 cleaning". [more - original PR]