Email from Helen Gannon, Director COVID Aviation Program Implementation – Aviation Industry Support Measures

Written by Helen Gannon, Director COVID Aviation Program Implementation on -

Good Afternoon

On 7 June 2020 the Deputy Prime Minister announced that a range of initiatives currently supporting the aviation industry would be extended.  The Deputy Prime Minister’s media release is available here: https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/mccormack/media-release/government-support-continues-australias-aviation-industry-0

Further details on these initiatives will be made to applicants in coming days as revised guidelines for these opportunities are finalised, however a summary follows below:

Australian Airlines Financial Relief Package

The announcement includes extending a range of measures under the Australian Airlines Financial Relief Package (AAFRP).  These include:

  • extending the fuel excise rebate until 31 December 2020 or until existing funding has been fully expended (whichever happens earlier)
  • extending the domestic security charge rebate until 31 December 2020 or until existing funding has been fully expended (whichever happens earlier)
  • extending the waiver of Airservices Australia domestic air services charge until 31 December 2020.

Revised guidelines for all the measures are currently being developed and will be circulated in due course.  They will be made available on GrantConnect when finalised.  We will also advise existing applicants of the changes to the relief packages and work with them to facilitate the necessary changes to their agreements.  The package will continue to be open to all new eligible applicants.  For further information on AAFRP please contact: COVIDaafrp@infrastructure.gov.au

The timeframe for the AAFRP measure relating to the capital and operational costs associated with enhanced regional airport security screening has also been extended.  This measure will be available to eligible regional airports.  Separate guidelines are being prepared for this component of the program and are expected to be available in July 2020.

Regional Airline Network Support

The Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) program will be extended from 30 September to 31 December 2020 to ensure regional communities continue to receive essential air services.  The program will continue to cover operating shortfalls for a limited number of services on regional routes flown prior to the COVID-19 crisis.  Revised grant guidelines are currently being developed and will be available in coming weeks.  Revisions will take into account increasing utilisation of services as we enter the COVID-19 recovery phase and will also seek to clarify issues that have arisen in the early stages of the program.  For further information on RANS please contact: COVIDRANS@infrastructure.gov.au

Domestic Aviation Network Support

The Domestic Aviation Network Support (DANS) program will be extended to 30 September 2020.  Eligible airlines will be contacted in the near future in relation to this initiative.

Regional Airlines Funding Assistance

The $100 million Regional Airlines Funding Assistance (RAFA) program will also be extended until 31 December 2020 or until allocated funds are exhausted.  Any extension to grant agreements with existing successful applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will be assessed against an organisation’s ongoing need for funding support beyond 30 September 2020.  For further information on RANS please contact: COVIDrafa@infrastructure.gov.au

Public Disclosure of Information

Please be aware information on grant recipients and maximum grant amounts is publicly available on GrantConnect.  Information on the grant programs and Airservices Australia fee waivers may be raised at Senate Estimates hearings and will be on the public record.

Kind regards

Helen Gannon
Director
COVID Aviation Program Implementation

Aviation & Airports
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development & Communications
t: 02 6274 6972 | m: 0417 485 359
e: helen.gannon@infrastructure.gov.au
GPO Box 594, Canberra ACT 2601