Australian aviation sector gets more than $400m in 2024 budget

Western Sydney Airport and regional aviation are both set to benefit in this year’s Federal Budget. The Government will pour $302.6m over five years, as well as $53.5m per year ongoing, into Western Sydney Airport, plus $102m into upgrading regional airports and remote airstrips and $7.5m into aviation safety measures. Western Sydney Airport will receive $237.4m over four years from 2024–25, plus $52.1m per year ongoing, for border security measures including terminal design, fit-out and commissioning; federal policing; and detector dogs. $13.0m will also be provided over five years from 2024–25, and $1.4m per year ongoing, to “support regulatory oversight functions and Commonwealth preparatory activities”. “The Government will also provide equity to WSA Co Limited to support completion of Stage One of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, with the financial implications not for publication due to commercial sensitivities,” the Government said in its 2024-25 Budget papers. The Government will also achieve savings of $8.4m over five years from 2023–24 (and $1.2m per year ongoing) by terminating the Regional and Remote Airports Security grant program, and returning uncommitted funding for business case development for Commonwealth facilities to the Budget.”<br/>