Regional airports in SA say they can’t afford to implement new anti-terrorism measures

AIRPORTS in regional SA fear they cannot afford to implement new anti-terrorism measures.

• Mount Gambier to expand airport

REGIONAL airport bosses around South Australia say they will struggle to implement new anti-terrorism measures currently under consideration by the Commonwealth.

The Federal Government is reviewing airport security around the country at the same time the viability of regional airports is under the microscope of a Senate Committee.

But SA regional airport bosses have already raised concerns about their future operations if they were made to implement new counter-terrorism measures such as screenings.

A spokesman for Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the Federal Government was considering numerous options to strengthen aviation security, including screening for regional airports.

Port Augusta Council chief executive John Banks said the airport, operated by the council, already faced several challenges to “enable Port Augusta to maintain its standing as a leading regional hub for the upper and far north of South Australia”.

Mr Banks said challenges included maintaining infrastructure to a standard that meets or exceeds CASA requirements, in order to secure current and future regulated public transport, Mining Charter and Royal Flying Doctor Services.

Mr Banks said the council could not afford to pay for any additional anti-terrorism requirements.

“Port Augusta City Council is not in an economic position to fund any upgrades and would require full external funding to meet any future upgrades,” he said.

Airport authorities said implementing the new anti-terror measures would be too expensive.

Mr Banks’ sentiments were echoed by Ceduna Airport chief executive Geoffrey Moffatt, who said adding costs to develop anti-terrorism measures could be “insurmountable” for the regional airport. “It would be a significant challenge for our airport to implement,” he said.

Grant Council chief executive Trevor Smart, who is responsible for Mt Gambier airport, raised similar concerns in a submission to a Senate inquiry into the operation, regulation and funding of air route service delivery to rural, regional and remote communities.

“(Anti-terrorism measures) have the potential to considerably increase the cost to airport operators, both for the initial installation of security equipment and the cost of its ongoing operation further reducing the viability of services,” he said.

Mr Dutton’s spokesman said the Federal Government was mindful of the effects that security measures had on the industry, particularly for regional and remote aviation.

“It’s important to balance regulatory costs against maintaining the overall security and sustainability of the aviation network,” the spokesman said.