The Regional Aviation industry has a proven record of professional conduct, in fulfilling its essential role of providing aviation services in regional Australia . It provides fast and regular passenger, aero-medical and freight services linking regional communities with each other and the major cities. It thus forms a vital part of the national transport infrastructure.

   History

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) was formed in 1980 as the Regional Airlines Association of Australia to protect, represent and promote the combined interests of its regional airline members and regional aviation throughout Australia.

The Association changed its name in July 2001 to the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) and widened its charter to include a range of membership, including regional airlines, charter and aerial work operators, and the businesses that support them.

   Aim

The Aim of the RAAA is to promote the maintenance of a viable regional aviation industry.

   Objective

To fulfill its aim, the RAAA;
• Promotes the regional aviation industry and its benefits to Australian transport, tourism and economy among government and regulatory policy makers,
• Lobbys on behalf of the regional aviation industry and its members,
• Monitors government and regulatory authority policy formulation to ensure regional aviation industry association members gain input into policies and decisions which may affect the flying, maintenance and commercial operations of their businessess,
• Encourages the maintenance of very high standards of professional conduct by its members, and
• Provides a forum for both formal and informal professional development.

   Representation

The RAAA provides wide representation for the regional aviation industry by direct lobbying of Ministers and senior officials, through parliamentary submissions, personal contact and by active participation in a number of consultative forums.

The RAAA is formally represented by its CEO on a number of organisations and forums including:
• Accessible Public Transport National Advisory Council
• AERU Consultative Forum
• Airports Co-ordination Australia
• Airspace Users Group
• AusSAR Consultative Forum
• Australian Strategic Air Traffic Management Group (ASTRA)
• Australian Aviation Bird and Animal Hazard Working Group
• Aviation Security Advisory Forum
• CASA Heavy Industry Meeting
• CASA Standards Consultative Committee
• New South Wales Aviation Working Group
• Regional Industry Consultative Meeting
• Sydney Airport Compliance Committee

   Consultation

The Association works routinely with the Office of the Minister for Transport and Regional Services and a number of government agencies, including:
• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government
• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
• Airservices Australia (ASA)
• Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
• Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
• Department of Defence (DOD) and Australian Defence Force (ADF)
• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
• Productivity Commission
• New South Wales Government