Business View Oceania | Volume 3, Issue 9

47 48 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 AUSTRAL I AN A I RPORTS ASSOC I AT ION • Monthly webinars • CEO messages via email • Chair messages via email • Social media • Video conferencing • Email Direct Marketing (EDMs) 5. What are the salient points that you would like a reader to take away from the Australian Airports Association’s contributions to the Aviation industry? The Australian Airports Association’s advocacy strategy was instrumental in securing government support for Australia’s Aviation Sector during the pandemic. The Association’s 2021/2022 Federal Budget Submission resulted in the sector receiving around 80% of its Federal Budget request, including an extension of reopen our nation to the world. While the airport sector strongly supports this and it’s good to have a plan in place, we are still yet to see any vaccination targets or time frames for this reopening. The government made an assumption in its 2021/2022 Federal Budget Papers that international travel would not resume before at least mid-2022. Realistically, we don’t expect international travel to return to pre-pandemic levels until at least 2024. Airports want to work with the government to formulate a plan that will take a safe, risk- based, and phased approach to opening our international border, so that we can continue to support the broader Australian economy through pandemic recovery. We absolutely need to start reconnecting global business partners, attracting seasonal agricultural workers and international students, and increasing the capacity for Australians to return home. 4. What is the Australian Airports Association’s membership? Has the number changed significantly over the years, and if so, why? Are there different tiers of membership, including associate members from different industries? How do you communicate with your membership, and what are their benefits? There are currently 340 member airports and 180 airport owners benefiting from their membership with the Australian Airports Association. We also represent 120 corporate members who provide services to airports, such as construction companies, mining companies, lighting businesses, and security screening agencies. There are six different tiers of membership, including: • Small Regional Airport • Regional Airport • Metro Airport • Major Airport • Capital City Airport • Corporate The AAA provides a range of services to its members. These include providing a unified voice when advocating for the sector to Government and other organisations, advocacy on other issues of concern at local and national levels, opportunities to develop professional skills and networks through our division meetings, working groups and events, communications via e-newsletters and our online members centre to inform members of the latest industry news, and the opportunity to be recognised for excellence in our National Awards program. We communicate with our members through a range of channels, including: • A weekly newsletter • Regular phone calls • MailChimp the Domestic and Regional Aviation Network Support programs which subsidise empty seats on aircraft to keep the national aviation network operational, the Domestic Airports Security Costs Support (DASCS), which provides rebates to airports for mandatory security screening services, and the development of the Tourism Aviation Network Support (TANS) program, which funded half-price airfares to select tourism destinations across Australia. The AAA will continue its role in being a strong and united voice for Australia’s airport sector. We will do all we can to achieve government support and recognition that will help pull the industry, and subsequently the whole of Australia, through to the other side of the pandemic.