Community

Welcome to Country

In July 2019, Canberra Airport became the first airport in Australia to welcome travellers with a Welcome to Country in Indigenous language.

Visitors arriving at the International terminal of Canberra Airport are greeted by an audio Welcome to Country in Ngunnawal language, the traditional Aboriginal language of the ACT region. The recording, developed by Ngunnawal Traditional Owners also features an introduction and translation in English.

For Ngunnawal Traditional Owner, Caroline Hughes, the Canberra Airport initiative is an important recognition of Ngunnawal culture, reconciliation and a source of personal pride.

“Our language is the key to all our relationships and how we interact with each other. It is the salient ingredient to spirituality, lore, law and retaining our cultural identity and connection. ”

Listen to the Ngunnawal Welcome to Country as spoken by Ngunnawal Traditional Owners in both male and female voices.

Community Initiatives

Canberra Airport provides support to the community, for both individuals and organisations through the Snow Foundation.

Beyond this, Canberra Airport also makes a wide range of contributions to the local region in the form of event sponsorship, charitable donations or through organising major events. Some examples of our commitment to the community include:

Airport Open Day - Saturday 18 April 2026

Canberra Airport Open Day is back, bringing an exciting program of aircraft displays, aerial demonstrations, live entertainment, and family‑friendly activities. It’s a fantastic opportunity for visitors of all ages to experience the world of aviation up close and enjoy a fun day out at the airport.

Secure your free ticket for 2026 here!

Tourism

As the gateway to the Nation’s Capital, Canberra Airport works closely with local tourist institutions and businesses to support visitation. For example, Canberra Airport has been a sponsorship partner to The National Gallery of Australia since 2011, providing funding and promotional activity to support the major exhibitions that attract millions of people to Canberra.

Events

Canberra Airport recognises the importance of new and exciting local events. Canberra Airport partners with Contour 556, Canberra’s biennial public art festival that presents artworks and performances along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. During the event, travellers through Canberra Airport will be able to view a pop-up artwork installed within the terminal by a Contour 556 contributing artist.

Canberra’s premium fashion event, FASHFEST, was hosted and sponsored by Canberra Airport at Brindabella Business Park for its first two years.  As The Forage and Hustle & Scout Twilight Markets grew in popularity and more space was needed, a hangar in Fairbairn became their new home, with hundreds of people enjoying the runway action whilst enjoying the fashion and food.