Virgin beats Qantas to Tamworth pilot training academy

Qantas says there are no hard feelings as a regional centre opts to strike a deal with Virgin to build a pilot training academy.

Tamworth has chosen Virgin Australia ahead of Qantas in running a training academy at the regional airport. Picture: Supplied

One of the regional centres in the running for a Qantas pilot training academy has announced it’s done a deal with Virgin Australia instead.

Tamworth in New South Wales was considered a frontrunner for the second Qantas academy, after the first facility went to Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport.

Mayor Col Murray had made no secret of the fact the town was well set up for a pilot training academy, having accommodated the Australian Defence Force until recently.

He said few regional airports boasted facilities the calibre of those in Tamworth.

“We have been in the very fortunate position of attracting more than one proposal to deliver commercial pilot training services at our airport,” Cr Murray said.

“The Virgin Australia Group has put forward a very compelling proposition, one that makes best use of our facilities and offers a sustainable return for Tamworth Regional Airport.”

Cr Murray said the facility at Tamworth was too large for what Qantas was seeking.

“Our facility cost $73 million to build in 1990. To build the facility that’s been mooted in Toowoomba, it’s costing $35 million,” he said.

“The offer from Virgin was quite a different scaled offer, and much better suited for our facility and our council voted last night to proceed.”

Virgin Australia Group chief executive John Borghetti said they were delighted to have been chosen by Tamworth Regional Council to establish an Aviation Centre of Excellence.

“Our industry is currently facing a global pilot shortage and this world-class facility will develop a pipeline of skilled pilots, funnelling into the Virgin Australia Group and other airlines around the world,” Mr Borghetti said.

More information about the training centre would be released in coming months, he said.

Qantas Group Pilot Academy executive manager Wes Nobelius showed there was no hard feelings, describing the announcement as great news for Tamworth and regional Australia.

He said it was great to see more airlines investing in training, especially given the global demand projections indicating 790,000 more pilots would be needed over the next 20 years.

“We really appreciate the time and effort invested by Tamworth Regional Council in being part of our selection process,” Mr Nobelius said.

“Qantas will continue to have a strong presence in the Tamworth market with up to 29 weekly return services and more than 100 employees on the ground.”

The announcement shrinks the shortlist for the second Qantas pilot training academy to seven regional centres, including Mackay, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Bendigo, Launceston, Alice Springs and Busselton.

Wellcamp Airport’s Qantas pilot training academy is due to open by mid-2019, and train up to 250 pilots a year for Qantas and other airlines.