Why the Qantas Mackay pilot training academy remains grounded for now
Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson has revealed what needs to happen before plans for the pilot training facility can get off the ground again.
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Mayor Greg Williamson has revealed what needs to happen before plans for the Qantas pilot training academy in Mackay can get off the ground again.
In July 2019, the airline named Mackay as the second site for a proposed pilot training academy after opening a facility in Toowoomba.
The Mackay location was pegged to be up and operating during 2020, but those plans were put on ice in March last year because of COVID-19’s impact on the travel and aviation industry.
In an update this week, Cr Williamson said he had high hopes for Mackay’s facility now the Toowoomba academy was up and running.
“What Qantas have said to us is, when they are ready to embark on the second flying training academy, it still will be in Mackay,” he said.
Cr Williamson said COVID-19’s decimation of international travel had meant senior pilots were now “hanging up their uniforms and going out and doing other things”.
“In my view, (international travel) will come back and it will come back with a vengeance down the track.
“When it does come back, in my view, there will be a huge requirement for pilots.
“And that means it will accelerate pilot training.”
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There is no time frame for when this will occur, because of the unpredictable nature of COVID-19.
“When Qantas is in the position to require a second training academy, it will be in Mackay,” Cr Williamson said.
“There’s all this conjecture about when international travel will get back on the books again.
“That’s what needs to happen before Qantas even looks like needing a second flying training academy.”
He said Mackay Regional Council would work with the airliner whenever they are ready to go.
A Qantas spokeswoman said: “Plans for a second pilot academy site at Mackay remain on hold as the Qantas Group focuses on recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Mackay is considered an ideal location for such a facility because it offers optimal flying conditions.
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Originally published as Why the Qantas Mackay pilot training academy remains grounded for now
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