Concerns have been raised regarding the future of rural and regional airports, including Newcastle Airport, as the industry faces financial instability amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
Labor is calling for the NSW Government to provide more assistance to local councils who own struggling airports to secure their viability now and after the coronavirus has passed.
Newcastle Airport is owned by Newcastle City Council and Port Stephens Council, on land leased from the Department of Defence.
Shadow Minister for Local Government Greg Warren says it is the government's responsibility to step in and lend a helping hand to the councils who may still be reeling from recent drought and the bushfire season.
"We don't want to see these airports fold over," said Mr Warren. "We don't to see these costs incurred onto local councils that will ultimately land onto local communities."
The airline industry has already faced heavy turbulence over the past few months - and with Virgin Australia's collapse into voluntary administration, dozens more regional routes could be up in the air as well.
"Regional airports play a vital role around our regional communities and are huge job providers, that's no better displayed than in the Hunter," said Mr Warren.
"They are seriously struggling at the moment, and this will fall onto the laps of those who are under control of them - in this case, it's councils."
With twenty-six of the state's regional airports owned by local councils, Labor says the State Government must conduct an audit to ensure they meet the needs of regional airports and serviced communities on a case-by-case basis.
"They are a vital connection between the metropolitan and regional areas, all too often rural and regional NSW's get's over looked."
Newcastle Airport says they are remaining optimistic about their future after the pandemic.
