Regional aviation doesn’t just move people. It holds communities together.
Early in my career at Airservices Australia, during the height of the mining boom, I joined then-CEO Greg Russell and members of the executive team on a trip up Western Australia’s coastline to review aviation infrastructure under growing pressure.
Over three days we travelled north from Perth through Karratha, Broome and Port Hedland, inspecting ageing air traffic control towers and aviation fire stations that were no longer fit for purpose. Flights were increasing, aircraft movements were accelerating, and regional airports were experiencing sustained growth.
What struck me most was not just the scale of activity, but how essential aviation had become to those communities and the industries they support.
The trip concluded in Darwin, where we had dinner with Michael Bridge, then the CEO of Airnorth. What stayed with me was not a typical industry discussion about aircraft types or market competition — it was his genuine enthusiasm for regional aviation. Both men spoke candidly about creating opportunities for people who live in regional communities, about the responsibility airlines carry in connecting remote towns, and about aviation as a service that underpins health, education, employment and social cohesion.
When regional aviation struggles, regional Australia feels it first
The recent financial struggles experienced by Regional Express highlighted how exposed regional connectivity becomes when an airline’s commercial position weakens. Government intervention to stabilise essential services was necessary, and it was also a reminder that when regional aviation falters, the impacts are felt immediately by the communities it serves.
Reduced services restrict access to medical care, make education and training harder to reach, slow regional businesses and weaken confidence in a town’s future. For many Australians, regional aviation is not a luxury. It is critical infrastructure.
The quieter challenge: who will staff regional aviation tomorrow?
Alongside financial and operational pressures sits a quieter, longer-term risk — the sustainability of the aviation workforce.
Regional aviation is trying to maintain safe and reliable operations in the same communities that are losing young people to capital cities. Data consistently shows that school leavers from regional and remote areas are far more likely to move to metropolitan centres for education and work, and many do not return. The towns that rely most on aviation are often those with the thinnest future workforce pipeline.
If young people do not see aviation as a viable and visible career where they live, the sector will continue to rely on attracting talent from elsewhere. Over time, this becomes more expensive, less reliable and harder to sustain.
If you can see it, you can be it
If regional aviation is to remain resilient, engagement cannot begin at recruitment. It needs to start earlier, in schools and local communities.
Aviation offers far more than roles in the cockpit. Regional operations rely on aircraft maintenance engineers, avionics specialists, aviation firefighters, air traffic services, ground operations staff, safety professionals and operational leaders. These are skilled and meaningful careers that allow people to live and work in regional Australia — but they need to be seen to be believed.
Pathways need stronger connection to place
Australia already has strong aviation training institutions that support regional pathways, including TAFEs delivering pilot training and universities with aviation programs. The challenge is not capability. It is connection.
Students need clearer links between school subjects, local airports, training providers and real jobs. They also need role models who come from similar towns and can show that staying regional does not mean limiting ambition.
Meet young people where they already are
The first opportunity is simple but powerful: a national, always-on digital approach that helps young people in regional and remote communities see aviation as a genuine career option — not through glossy marketing, but through real stories, real people and practical information.
This means content designed for the platforms students already use: short videos, role spotlights and human stories that show what aviation jobs look like day to day, plus simple pathway visuals and classroom-ready resources that teachers and career advisers can use with confidence. The value lies in reach: students who may never visit an airport still gain access to credible, relatable information.
Turn interest into aspiration through real experience
Awareness alone is not enough. The second idea is more immersive and hands-on, delivered directly into regional schools and communities where aviation demand is strong but workforce participation remains low.
It brings aviation professionals — pilots, engineers, operators and drone specialists — into schools to talk openly about their work and pathways, supported by practical aviation lab experiences using VR headsets, drone systems, simulation software and STEM kits. By combining direct engagement with hands-on experience, this approach helps bridge the gap between curiosity and confidence, and turns regional aviation from an idea into an aspiration.
A call to action for industry
Regional aviation is about people serving people. If aviation is to continue supporting Australia’s regional and remote towns, it must invest deliberately in the next generation who already live there.
About the author. Adam Phelan has over 16 years’ experience in aviation across Australia, Europe and Asia, spanning operational and leadership roles. A strong advocate for industry growth, he focuses on advancing diversity and inclusion — particularly supporting women and underrepresented groups — helping shape a modern aviation industry that reflects the communities it serves.
Frequently asked questions
Why is regional aviation so important to Australian communities?
Regional aviation supports access to health care, education, employment, freight and emergency services. For many regional and remote towns, it is essential infrastructure.
Is aviation mainly a career pathway for pilots in major cities?
No. Regional aviation relies on a wide range of roles beyond pilots, including maintenance, avionics, aviation fire, air traffic services, ground operations, safety and leadership roles. Holan Aviation works with industry to highlight these options and promote local career pathways.
Why does engagement with students need to start early?
Career perceptions form early, particularly in regional areas. If aviation is not visible during school years, students are less likely to consider it as an option. Holan Aviation supports early engagement that helps students understand realistic pathways from their local communities.
Are there realistic training pathways for regional and remote students?
Yes. Training pathways exist through TAFEs, universities and specialist providers, including regional options. The challenge is making pathways clear and accessible.
How can the aviation industry strengthen regional workforce pipelines?
Workforce pipelines are built through consistent engagement with schools, mentoring and work experience. Holan Aviation partners with industry to design structured initiatives that support long-term capability and regional connectivity.
