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Southern Cross Award Winner

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia

2025

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1980 to represent and advocate for the interests of regional aviation across Australia. Originally known as the Regional Airlines Association of Australia, it broadened its scope in 2001 to include aerial work operators and related support businesses.

The RAAA has approximately 120 members, including airlines, airports, engineering and flight training organisations, finance and insurance firms, and government entities. These members operate across all Australian states and territories. RAAA members directly employ over 10,000 people, many in regional areas. Collectively, they generate more than $1.5 billion in annual turnover, transport over 2 million passengers, and move more than 23 million kilograms of freight each year.

The RAAA’s mission is to promote a safe and viable regional aviation industry by working with governments,
regulatory authorities, and the community. This includes lobbying for policy development, advocating for infrastructure investment, and addressing industry challenges such as pilot shortages and regulatory reform. The RAAA actively participates in policy discussions and advisory forums, representing regional aviation interests to federal and state governments. It is a member of the Australian Aviation Associations Forum and collaborates with entities like Airservices Australia, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).

The association highlights issues such as the high cost of operating regional services, reliance on government subsidies, and the need for sustainable aviation policies. In 2024, RAAA released a policy paper urging decisive action to ensure the future viability of regional aviation services.

©2026 Australian Aviation Hall Of Fame

Mezzanine Level, Historical Aircraft Restoration Society. 54 Airport Road, Shellharbour Airport

Albion Park Rail, NSW, 2527

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