AAA Division Meeting WA

Aviation Projects Specialist Consultant Syed Rizvi recently attended the Australian Airports Association Resource & Regional Aerodrome Forum 2026 and Western Australia Divisional Meeting in Perth on 7-8 October 2026.

The event commenced with the WA Divisional Meeting, where Natalie Heazlewood, interim CEO of the Australian Airports Association, highlighted the vital contribution regional and resource-sector aerodromes make to Australia's economic growth. During the AAA members' roundtable, Syed presented Aviation Projects' capabilities and shared updates on several key projects.

A key theme throughout the forum was the future of regional aviation. Discussions covered workforce challenges, with panellists Anson Murret, Joanne Monaghan and Greg Barrington sharing strategies for attracting and retaining skilled personnel in remote and regional locations.

Attendees also heard from Peter Noake of the Royal Australian Air Force, who outlined updates to the 2026 National Defence Strategy and the important role regional aerodromes play in supporting national capability.

Day two featured interactive workshops and panel discussions exploring operational challenges, industry collaboration and emergency response partnerships. Presentations from Shiwani Nair and Regina Dunstan highlighted the value of strong external relationships in supporting airport resilience and emergency preparedness.

The forum concluded with an update from Jaxon Thomas, who provided insights into Perth Airport's third runway project and the potential implications of airport slot management on national and regional aviation networks.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with industry stakeholders, gain insight into emerging challenges, and reinforce Aviation Projects' commitment to supporting the sustainable growth of regional aviation across Australia.

Aviation Projects values engagment with the wider aviation community, contact us to find out more.