NSW Take Off Fund to supercharge the aviation sector and boost visitor economy
Accommodation Australia has welcomed the $12.5M investment
The Minns Labor Government will invest $12.5 million as part of the 2025–26 Budget to create the NSW Take Off Fund to secure more flights and grow the visitor economy across the state.
The NSW Take Off Fund will support NSW’s efforts to boost airline seat capacity by 8.5 million seats over the coming years, ensuring the state remains competitive in the global race for air routes and visitor markets.
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The funding will provide financial and marketing support to international and domestic routes that commit to launching new or additional services into NSW.
Through previous initiatives including the Aviation Attraction Fund and the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, the Minns Labor Government’s strategic aviation investments are delivering results across all three of NSW’s international gateways — Sydney, Western Sydney and Newcastle.
Sydney Airport has locked in new routes to major aviation hubs in Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) and Shanghai (Juneyao Air), and boosted capacity on routes to India, South Korea and Southeast Asia.
Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) just last month confirmed Air New Zealand will run flights to Auckland from mid-2027, joining Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar as early airline partners, and supporting WSI’s goal of reaching 10 million annual passengers.
Newcastle Airport has secured new routes to Perth (Qantas) and Denpasar (Jetstar) ahead of its new international terminal opening later this year.
Accommodation Australia NSW welcomed the announcement.
“More bums on seats on more flights coming into NSW airports is fantastic news for accommodation hotels and the wider tourism economy in general,” Accommodation Australia NSW GM Stacey McBride said.
“The more flights, the more tourism dollars being spent on hotel rooms, in cafes and restaurants, and on tourism experiences right across our great state – everyone benefits. I’d like to congratulate the Minns Government on this new initiative.”
