The Australian Airports Association (AAA) and the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) have expressed support for the Federal Government's aviation green paper.
Published last week, the green paper Towards 2050 is a discussion paper that outline issues and calls for feedback ahead of the white paper to be released next year.
“This process is an important opportunity to review the policy and regulatory settings to get the right framework to have a thriving aviation sector for the decades to come,” AAA Chief Executive, James Goodwin said.
“We look forward to working with Minister King to develop immediate and long-term solutions for airport operators."
AAA National Chair, Kym Meys said it is crucial the process also brings the sector together on reaching emissions targets.
“The time is right to review the range of existing and emerging settings impacting the sector as it recovers from the impacts of the pandemic,” he said.
“Airports have a role to play in reducing emissions via scope one and two, and Australian airports are committed to playing their part in meeting aviation 2050 targets.
“We have seen airports affected by recent extreme weather, including floods and fires, and it is encouraging to see the process examining what needs to be done to help prepare airports to be more resilient during extreme weather events.
"The AAA is pleased to see government agencies are a focus in the White Paper process."
RAAA CEO Steve Campbell said his organisation was still to formulate their response, but found the content of the green paper was as expected.
"The RAAA welcomes the release of the much anticipated Green Paper by the Government this week," Campbell told Australian Flying. "There is a lot to unpack by November to get our submissions in but on first glance there seems to be no surprises.
"The RAAA held its Canberra Roadshow event this week which was fortunate timing as we had the first formal briefing by the Government on the green paper.
"We also our heard from Minister Catherine King at our evening event at Parliament House. The Minister was keen to let our members know that the Government is very much aware of the challenges that regional aviation is facing now and into the future."
Campbell sounded a warning the although the white paper process was welcome, it should not impede policy initiatives that are needed now.
"Whilst we understand that the point of a white paper is to be an over-the-horizon look at aviation policy, our members are more focused on the issues of today.
"Skills shortages are not unique to the aviation industry but we are keen to work with Government on ways to improve the uptake of pilots and engineers.
"These issues are more front and centre than how they can get to net zero by 2050."