Airports

What the Airports Branch Does

The Branch's primary responsibility is the regulation of 21 leased federal airports on Commonwealth land. The Branch administers the Airports Act 1996, its associated regulations and the airport head leases.

Leased Federal Airports

ACT	NSW	QLD	NT	VIC	TAS	SA	WA
Canberra	Sydney	Brisbane	Darwin	Melbourne	Hobart	Adelaide	Perth
	Bankstown	Gold Coast	Alice Springs	Essendon	Launceston	Parafield	Jandakot
	Camden	Townsville	Tennant Creek	Moorabbin
		Archerfield
		Mt Isa

The oversight functions include:

• airport planning, development and land use;
• airport insurance compliance;
• airport environment and building control regulation; and
• payment of Government rates and taxes.

The leased federal airports were granted on long-term leases to private entities between 1997 and 2003. Prior to this, the airports were owned and managed by the Federal Airports Corporation (FAC). The Branch liaises regularly with Airport Lessee Companies (ALCs) on airport regulation and lease management.

• Quality of Service Monitoring of Airports

  The Department released a discussion paper seeking the views of airports and airport stakeholders, including the travelling public, on whether changes should be made to the regulatory arrangements on monitoring the quality of service at airports. Submissions closed on 26th June 2009.

• Airport Planning & Regulation

  Detailed information concerning the Australian Government's interests in the operation of leased federal airports.

• Ministerial Decisions

  A list of ministerial decisions and links to supporting documents regarding airport master and major development plans at leased federal airports.