The Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) has issued an urgent call for a national "reset" of the regional aviation model, warning that the current system is failing remote communities, councils, and operators alike.

Speaking at the WQAC Assembly 2026 at Brisbane City Hall, local government leaders, aviation operators, and policy experts warned that soaring costs, dwindling aircraft supply, and unsustainable funding models are creating a "downward spiral" that threatens the prosperity of rural and remote communities.