COVID-19: Federal Government adds AU$184 million, making a total of AU$5 billion in aviation support

To help the aviation industry return to international business the Australian Government is injecting AU$184 million of taxpayer funding to support airports and airlines including Qantas and Virgin Australia. The funding includes AU$119.6 million to extend by 5 months the International Aviation Support program through until the end of March 2022

For Airports

There is a new International Airport Security Charges Rebate program of $64 million to support aviation security screening costs for Australia’s international airports. The support will run from 1 October 2021, to 31 March 2022. This rebate is to help cover the costs of mandated baggage and passenger screening for international flights.

Digital vaccination checking

The Digital Passenger Declaration system to verify inbound passengers COVID-19 vaccination is also being developed in conjunction with the scheduled reopening of Australian borders.

These funding initiatives have been welcomed by Qantas, unsurprisingly.

2PAXfly Takeout

The subsidy from the taxpayer for Australian aviation has been massive. The majority of the money has supported airline staff and stopped Australian based airlines from going to the wall. Let’s hope it was all worthwhile, and that vaccines will let us get back to safe international travel soon.

Accusing me of having itchy feet for travel is an understatement!