SA Election 2018: SA Best leader Nick Xenophon to push for Qantas flight school in Whyalla or Port Lincoln

SA Best will push for Whyalla or Port Lincoln to become a training ground for young pilots, after Qantas announced it would establish a new pilot academy in regional Australia.

The new terminal at Port Lincoln airport.

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SA Best will push for Whyalla or Port Lincoln to become a training ground for young pilots, after Qantas announced it would establish a new pilot academy in regional Australia.

SA Best leader Nick Xenophon and Upper House candidate Sam Johnson said immediate discussions with Qantas would get underway should the party hold the balance of power at the election.

Qantas once had an aircraft named the "City of Whyalla". It was christened in 1988.

“Our preference would be for it to be established in Whyalla on the back of the lifeline it’s been given thanks to Sanjeev Gupta, and the plans he has for the region,” Mr Xenophon said.

“This is a no-brainer for regional South Australia, with several sites ideal for the academy.”

He said a condition for the new government would be to provide Qantas with a financial incentive to set up the academy, similar to the $10 million the State Government provided to Oz Minerals to relocate its headquarters to Adelaide.

“If we are able to hold the balance of power at the election, a condition for the new government would be to provide Qantas some sort of financial incentive/subsidy to make the setting up of its academy in regional SA an offer to good to refuse.”

Whyalla airport. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Qantas announced last month a plan to open an academy capable of training up to 500 pilots a year and will invest up to $20 million into the facility.

The airline said the academy would preferably near an existing regional airfield to provide access to uncongested airspace.