The campaign was launched on Wednesday, with support from the Australian Logistics Council, the Regional Aviation Association of Australia and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

It is designed to improve safety and access for the 15 million passengers who use rural and regional airports each year.

The airport association’s CEO Caroline Wilkie said there were more than 2000 landing strips and airports in Australia, including 250 for public transport.

“Regional airports employ and support in excess of 4000 staff, account for 45 per cent of Australia’s tourism revenue and allow for more than 6000 emergency evacuations a year,” Ms Wilkie said.

“Australian airports have some of the world’s highest safety standards and this is something we are very proud of.

“To achieve and maintain these standards is an expensive exercise.

“There are unique challenges in regional Australia such as old lighting, animals and livestock on runways and unsealed runways.

“We know that many of these airports are doing it tough, in fact independent analysis demonstrates that there is a $170m shortfall in maintenance and infrastructure funding.

“The analysis also shows that costs for airports are expected to increase by 40 per cent over next 10 years,” Ms Wilkie said.

Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes in August expressed concern about the potential cost of increasing security at Moruya airport in light of the Sydney terror raids.

Councillor Rob Pollock said at the time regional airports often had to rely on “commonsense” rather than additional funding.

The ‘Protect Regional Airport’ campaign is pushing the Australian Government to commit to a $25m a year program that would allow regional centres like Moruya to apply for funding.

Ms Wilkie said that the funding would provide regional and remote airports access to much-needed funding to address specific challenges. 

Airport Safety Week will run between 16 and 20 October.