Qantas announces landing site for first pilot training academy
A $35m “sweetener” has helped Qantas to settle on its choice of location for its first pilot training academy.
A $35 million “sweetener” in the form of brand new facilities, has helped convince Qantas to locate its first pilot training academy at Wellcamp Airport in Toowoomba from mid next year.
Group CEO Alan Joyce announced the decision today from a shortlist of nine regional centres, including Tamworth, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Bendigo, Launceston, Alice Springs, Mackay and Busselton.
The cities and towns had competed vigorously for the academy which will train 250 pilots a year for the Qantas Group, and go some way to addressing the pilot shortage.
Aviation industry estimates suggest that 790,000 more pilots will be needed globally over the next 20-years, with around a third of those roles in the Asia-Pacific.
A second training academy will be named in coming weeks with Tamworth considered the frontrunner.
Speaking at Wellcamp Airport, which is owned and run by Toowoomba’s high profile Wagner family, Mr Joyce said the airport, local community and state government had demonstrated that Toowoomba would make a great home for Qantas’s first pilot training academy.
“Qantas has a well-earned reputation of having some of the world’s best trained pilots. For many of them the journey will start right here in Toowoomba,” Mr Joyce said.
“It’s home to Australia’s newest airport and offers over 300 days of Queensland sunshine a year and an environment that is textbook for pilot training.”
As part of its winning submission for the academy, the Wagners proposed to invest $35m in new infrastructure including a new hangar, classroom facilities and student accommodation.
Wagner Corporation director, Denis Wagner said they were confident their world class facilities would enhance training opportunities for future airline pilots.
“This decision by the Qantas Group highlights that when the private sector, Australia’s national sector, the Queensland Government and our local council work cohesively, we can achieve a long term economically sustainable future for our regional communities,” Mr Wagner said.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Q in Qantas stood for Queensland and this decision made it clear that was where Qantas’s heart was.
“Together with the Brisbane base for four new Dreamliners and its 470 direct and indirect jobs, today’s announcement shows my government’s commitment to attracting the industries that will create jobs and opportunity and keep creating them well into the future,” said the Premier.
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