Airport needs investment and long-term plan to support growth and tourism, Business NSW says

BALLINA Byron Gateway Airport needs ongoing government investment to keep pace with rapid population and tourism growth, according to a new Business NSW report highlighting mounting pressure on regional aviation.

The call forms part of a statewide advocacy campaign by Business NSW, which says ageing infrastructure, rising operating costs, limited airline competition and inconsistent government funding are placing increasing pressure on regional airports and the communities they serve.

The Keeping Regional NSW Connected: The Future of Our Airports report identifies Ballina Byron Gateway Airport as the state’s second-busiest regional airport behind Newcastle.

It also identifies regional airports as essential infrastructure that supports local businesses, tourism, freight, emergency services and healthcare.

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport handled almost 579,000 passenger movements during the 2024–25 financial year while serving as a vital gateway for tourism, business, healthcare and emergency services.

Business NSW Northern Rivers regional director Jane Laverty said the airport was central to the region’s economic future as population growth accelerated.

“We’re one of the fastest-growing regions, and over the next two decades we’re going to see extraordinary growth here,” she said.

The report calls for a 10-year NSW Regional Aviation Strategy, supported by a dedicated infrastructure fund and stronger coordination between state, federal and local governments to provide greater certainty for regional airports.

“We’ve had a decent amount of investment into Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, but so we should,” Laverty said.

“We’re one of the fastest-growing airports in NSW.

“At the moment, you can only plan and deliver infrastructure in pieces, which then flows through to impacting the airlines and what you’re able to attract.”

Laverty said the airport was far more than a tourism gateway, playing a vital role in supporting businesses throughout the Northern Rivers.

“For business and industry, it’s a really important space,” she said.

“It enables our business and industry leaders to access markets, get in and out of Sydney to see clients and be seamless in what they deliver.”

She said future investment should focus not only on expanding infrastructure but also improving the passenger experience.

“The ease in which passengers can move is critical,” Laverty said.

“It’s about parking, getting your luggage through, moving through security and how comfortable that experience is.”

Laverty said recent disruptions to regional aviation highlighted the importance of continued investment to ensure airports remained attractive to airlines and resilient into the future.

The Northern Rivers will also benefit from increased visitation in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We will be a gateway into the Olympics, no doubt, so we want to make sure we’re doing what we need to do now, not leaving it until 2031,” Laverty said.