AIRCO's primary objective is to foster an ever increasing marketplace for South African independent music and assist in the long-term development, growth and success of South Africa's independent recording industry.

AIRCO's specific objectives include:

• COPYRIGHT - To assist in the exploitation of copyrights created and owned by South African independent record companies;
• FAIR TRADE - To achieve commercial terms on par with the major record companies. The association seeks to level the playing field;
• ACCESS TO MEDIA - Independent music is under-represented on mainstream radio and television. AIRCO will become a constant reminder to media broadcasters and elected officials that the ownership of the airwaves stems from the public trust and that cultural diversity is in the public interest;
• NEW TECHNOLOGY – AIRCO will relentlessly pursue a seat at the table for the launch of new technologies and distribution channels;
• LEGISLATIVE – AIRCO will represent its member’s interests in government and legislative issues. AIRCO will be visible where our position diverges from that of the majors, and for which the Independents currently have no voice;
• INTERNATIONAL – AIRCO will join the growing international movement that recognizes the economic and functional importance of independent record companies, and of the record industry overall.
• PURCHASING – AIRCO will explore areas where collective purchasing commitments may result in favorable pricing. Some examples include:
  • Advertising
  • Manufacturing
  • Printing
  • Media Monitoring
  • Legal and Accounting
• MARKET ACCESS - To promote a commercially viable industry environment which is conducive to growth of the South African independent sector and to the development of the artists that it represents;
• CULTURAL IDENTITY - To encourage and facilitate cultural expression through South African music at local, national and international levels;
• BRANDING – We are proud to be independent! Altogether we represent nearly 30% of South African music sales and 60% of South African music releases while dominating certain niche markets. AIRCO will seek to raise perception of 'The Indies' to something that achieves parity with that of 'The Majors', as an economic force, and surpasses it as a cultural force.

AIRCO is committed to do all things as are necessary, supplementary and favorable to the attainment of the above objectives and to the development of the South African music industry at large. Fittingly, AIRCO will stand for fair standards and oppose practices which rely on coercive methodologies to obtain favorable results. This will serve as a point of distinction and differentiation for AIRCO members.