The regional aviation sector in New South Wales is feeling the pinch from Sydney's latest COVID-19 lockdown, as it battles to recover from last year's disruptions.
Data from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Economics has revealed that, nationwide, flight passenger numbers in May had reached 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels
But the CEO of the Australian Airports Association, James Goodwin, expects that to drop by a further 10 to 20 per cent.
"In many regional centres, [the decrease] could be double that again," he said.
That reduction could exacerbate the existing financial pressures on regional airports, many of which are run at a loss by local councils, and struggle to recoup costs through passenger landing fees.
Mr Goodwin said that, before the latest outbreak in Sydney, all signs pointed to a turnaround for the sector.
"We had some green shoots for recovery," he said.
While regular flight routes are impacted by restrictions and lockdowns, Mr Goodwin is encouraging regional airports to think outside the box to stay afloat.
"Start talking to new airlines and other regional centres to potentially get some new air routes happening," Mr Goodwin said.
"We know that many places now have more air routes [and] more destinations than what they had pre-COVID."
Rex stays aloft
Despite the Greater Sydney lockdown, Regional Express has confirmed it will continue operating its NSW routes.
The airline flies to Sydney from about a dozen regional centres, including Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Dubbo and Merimbula.
"The frequency of services has been reduced to meet lower passenger demand," Rex said in a statement.
The carrier warned at the start of the pandemic last year that it would struggle to survive without government assistance.
It then secured federal funding to operate a minimum number of flights to most of its destinations.
Qantas is yet to confirm any changes to its domestic routes as a result of the latest outbreak.
