Qantas sues pilot training partner L3 Commercial

Qantas is suing an American flight training company for pulling out of a deal to run its first pilot academy in Toowoomba.

Alan Joyce announces Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport as the site of the first Qantas Pilot Training Academy with L3 Commercial in September 2018

Qantas is suing an American flight training company for pulling out of a deal to run the airline’s first pilot academy in Toowoomba four months before it was due to open.

The alleged breach of contract saw the opening of the $35m academy delayed several months, as Qantas sought a new training partner.

At the time, L3 Commercial Training Solutions refused to provide a reason for its exit from the deal, saying only that the company had been “unable to reach an agreement with Qantas to move the project forward”.

Under the original contract, L3 Commercial was expected to provide instructors and about 40 single and twin-engine aircraft for the academy with a view to training 100 pilots in the first year.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce ­travelled to Toowoomba to announce the deal and the site of the first pilot academy, but a few months later the agreement was terminated by the airline.

The Australian understands that decision was made after L3 Commercial sought to renege on the original terms of the contract, prompting Qantas to seek damages.

A Qantas spokesman said the company was disappointed to have had to begin legal proceedings against L3 Commercial.

“However, we have been unable to come to a commercial settlement after they were not willing to honour their original commitment,” the spokesman said.

“Our new partner, FTA (Flight Training Adelaide) is providing world-class training to the students at our pilot academy in Toowoomba.”

The students began their training in September last year in temporary facilities, with the purpose-built academy to open later this month.

A spokesman for L3 Commercial declined to comment.

It is unknown what amount of damages Qantas is seeking from the flight training company.

The case before the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney will have its first hearing on February 7.