In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian government introduced various supports and financial assistance measures—initially totalling over $2 billion— intended to maintain essential air connectivity, preserve aviation capacity and protect supply lines. By the time of tabling this report, the Australian government had committed over $5.3 billion in assistance since the emergence of the pandemic in 2020.

Many of the core governance and policy challenges for the Australian Government stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic—such as regulatory burden, airline competition and policy coordination—were raised consistently throughout the inquiry.

This report contains the following chapters:

• Chapter 1 is an introductory chapter which briefly outlines the context and administrative details of the inquiry, including the committee's interim report.
• Chapter 2 outlines the Australian government's response to the pandemic, providing a timeline of key events and a summary of policy responses and support initiatives.
• Chapter 3 presents evidence from inquiry participants on the ongoing impacts of the pandemic on the aviation sector.
• Chapter 4 considers the impacts of pandemic response measures on the aviation workforce, including the loss of skilled aviation workers and future workforce supply issues.
• Chapter 5 analyses initiatives aimed at supporting and maintaining the aviation workforce through the pandemic, and considers options for future reform.
• Chapter 6 looks at the future of Australian aviation, including: the role of the Australian government in aviation policy and coordination; the government's Aviation Recovery Framework; support for airports; and competition issues.