The Year in Review 2018-19 the Australian Airports Association
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THE YEAR IN REVIEW 2018-19 THE AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS ASSOCIATION The Australian Airports Association (AAA) is a non-profit organisation that was founded in 1982 in recognition of the real need for one coherent, cohesive, consistent and vital voice for aerodromes and airports throughout Australia. The AAA represents the interests of more than 360 airports and aerodromes Australia wide – from the local country community landing strip to major international gateway airports. The AAA also represents more than 160 aviation stakeholders and organisations that provide goods and services to airports. The AAA facilitates co-operation among all member airports and their many and varied partners in Australian aviation, whilst contributing to an air transport system that is safe, secure, environmentally responsible and efficient for the benefit of all Australians and visitors. The AAA is the leading advocate for appropriate national policy relating to airport activities and operates to ensure regular transport passengers, freight, and the community enjoy the full benefits of a progressive and sustainable airport industry. CONTACT US P: 02 6230 1110 E: [email protected] w: www.airports.asn.au Message from the Chairman and CEO 2 AAA Board 3 The 2018-19 Year in Review 6 Policy and Advocacy 10 Industry Development 18 Events 22 Other Member Services 28 Our Members 29 Connect With Us 35 CONTENTS Message from the National Chairman Guy Thompson It is not often that so much takes place in our industry in the space of just one year. However, 2018-19 has been one of those times, with key policy changes and funding announcements that will shape the aviation industry for some time to come. The clear highlight of the year was the confirmation of sustainable funding for regional airports. The Federal Government’s announcement of a $100 million regional airport fund in the recent budget was a huge boost that will change the futures of some regional airports and their communities. The AAA team led a hard-fought campaign to secure this funding, which finally provides a dedicated regional airport fund in Australia – just like dedicated funding programs that exist for roads and rail. This builds on the AAA’s work to secure an extension to the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Programme last year, giving many of our regional and remote airports the help they need to keep supporting their communities. Of course, the AAA’s advocacy for airport members will continue as the industry engages with government on the implementation of new government security requirements. This has remained an ongoing focus this year, to ensure a strong dialogue with government on this important issue as we continue to work together. The Productivity Commission also completed public hearings for its inquiry into the economic regulation of airports recently. The AAA welcomed the Commission’s draft finding in February that the current regulatory approach is fit for purpose, and acknowledged there are some areas where improvements could be made. The AAA looks forward to the public release of the final report later this year. While these were all significant projects in and of themselves, the small AAA team has also maintained the day-to-day member services and events we have come to know and expect from them. This is no small achievement, and I commend the team for their efforts during this busy time. Knowing the importance of this work also makes me very proud to lead the AAA Board. The Board brings together a wide range of people that share a deep commitment to supporting a strong and vibrant airport sector. I thank my fellow Directors for their contribution in 2018-19. 2 Message from the CEO Caroline Wilkie It has been an incredibly busy year for the AAA and one where we have celebrated some important milestones together with our members. The announcement of a new $100 million regional airport fund in the this year’s budget was very welcome news for the industry after what was a long campaign for sustainable funding. We were delighted that the AAA’s campaign has helped achieve a funding model that will really make a difference for our regions. We were heartened to hear from many of our members following the announcement and look forward to continuing to engage with government on their behalf to ensure the effective implementation of the fund. The industry also marked an important milestone in February when CASA confirmed changes to MOS Part 139. This was the result of extensive engagement with the AAA and the wider industry and is an important step towards an even safer, more outcomes driven aviation sector. We received some very positive feedback from members attending the inaugural AAA Safety Forum in February, which was co-hosted by CASA. There remains some work to go as we begin the implementation process, and the AAA looks forward to continuing to provide guidance and support for our members in partnership with CASA. While these and other issues have set a significant policy agenda during the year, we also hosted our biggest ever AAA National Conference in Brisbane as part of our event series. It was fantastic to see our members take the opportunity to network and make the most of the comprehensive program over the course of the week, and we look forward to seeing you again on the Gold Coast this year. Pleasingly, we also launched our Women in Airports Network and Young Airport Professionals Network during 2018-19. These are providing new avenues to engage with our members on the issues that matter to them, and we look forward to seeing these initiatives gather momentum in the year ahead. I hope you enjoy looking back on the 2018-19 year in the pages to follow and thank all of our members, stakeholders and staff for their support during this busy time. 3 AAA Board The AAA is governed by an elected Board of Directors. The Board includes a representative from each state and territory, as well as representatives of the membership categories of major, large regional and small regional airports. National Chairman Guy Thompson Major Airports Director Chris Mills Chief Executive Officer Queensland Airports Limited Large Regional Airport Director Bill Chapman Airport Operations Manager Western Australia Mildura Airport Rob Menzies Executive Director, Projects Small Regional Airport Director Broome International Airport Nat Thomas Airport Manager Halls Creek Aerodrome Company Secretary Glen Bortolin Corporate Services Director AAA 4 Northern Territory Tom Ganley Chief Financial Queensland Officer and Paul Watson Company Secretary General Manager - NT Airports Civil Services and Operations Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island South Australia Howard Aspey Manager, Airport Operations Whyalla Airport NSW Lindsay Mason Director Corporate Services Narrabri Shire Council ACT Stephen Carson Chief Financial Officer Canberra Airport Victoria Katie Cooper Head of Aviation Operations Tasmania Melbourne Airport Paul Hodgen AAA Deputy Chairman General Manager Launceston Airport 5 The 2018-19 Year in Review It has been a busy and eventful year for the AAA and our members – here’s a snapshot of just some of the highlights. August August Division meetings kicked off for the year, with meetings in Launceston, Adelaide, Emerald and Sydney. November 13-16 November The AAA National Conference saw a record number of delegates take part in the event in Brisbane. 28 November The AAA welcomed the Federal Government’s endorsement of a drone registration scheme, to be implemented by CASA. 6 October 15-19 October Airport Safety Week saw airports across Australia and New Zealand take part in a range of events to promote a strong safety culture. 14 November 16 November The AAA Airport The AAA formally launched Industry Awards its new Young Airport celebrated Professionals Network, innovation and with Gold Coast Airport’s excellence at Jared Feehely named its airports across inaugural chair. Australia. February 6 February The Productivity Commission released its draft report on the inquiry into the economic regulation of airports, finding the current regulatory approach is fit for purpose. 7 February CASA confirmed MOS Part 139 changes, with implementation to take place over an 18-month period. 21 March The AAA’s study tour kicked off, with delegates touring a range of airports in the UK and Europe. 30 March The Federal Government confirmed its $100 million regional funding commitment, following an extensive AAA campaign to Protect Regional Airports. 8 March 25 February 8 March The inaugural The AAA launched AAA Safety its Women in Forum was held Airports Network in Melbourne in on International partnership with Women’s Day. CASA. 25-29 March Productivity Commission AAA SUBMISSION public hearings took place DRAFT REPORT in Canberra, Sydney and RESPONSE TO THE PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION’S Melbourne. Productivity Commission inquiry into the economic regulation of airports May 14-16 May The AAA hosted its Airfield Pavement and Lighting Forum and Pavement Technology Workshop in Melbourne. 9 Policy and Advocacy Over 35 years ago, the AAA was established The Productivity Commission’s draft report to provide a national voice for Australia’s was released in February and found the airports on all policy issues impacting our current regulatory approach is fit for industry. From its humble beginnings to the purpose, providing a strong endorsement organisation it is today, the AAA has always of airports’ efforts to increase efficiency maintained a strong focus on ensuring and capacity at a time when demand for air it continues to advocate for policies that travel continues to rise. The draft report benefit our airport members and allow the also confirmed the findings of previous industry to continue to grow and prosper. inquiries, reflecting the robust evidence and arguments put forward to the Commission The AAA oversaw a comprehensive policy by the AAA and its members.