The NSW government has offered project funding to 30 of the state's regional airports.
Under the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF), selected airports may apply for a share of $50 million allocated for projects that support tourism.
"Investing in regional infrastructure such as airports will improve access for visitors to these world class tourism destinations as well as stimulate business activity and create jobs," NSW Minister for Regional Tourism John Barilaro says in the guidelines.
"The RTIF will give priority to projects that benefit regional tourism destinations - demonstrated by overnight visitation, enhanced aviation outcomes, visitor expenditure and passenger movements."
Only airports that have regular public transport, or had an RPT service up to 2008, will be considered for funding, severely limiting the scope of eligibility.
Airports invited to apply for funding are:
Albury
Armidale
Ballina Byron Gateway
Bathurst
Bourke
Broken Hill
Cobar
Coffs Harbour
Cooma
Coonamble
Coonabarabran
Dubbo
Grafton
Griffith
Lismore
Lightning Ridge
Lord Howe
Merimbula
Moree
Moruya
Narrandera
Narrabri
Newcastle
Orange
Parkes
Port Macquarie
Tamworth
Taree
Wagga Wagga
Walgett
Ironically, one airport that has done perhaps the most to attract tourists, Temora, is excluded as it has no RPT.
Interested airports can apply through the NSW government Department of Trade and Investment website before 31 March 2015.