Two regional cities have the chance to become home to a new pilot academy.
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Launceston is already in the running for the Qantas school, having been shortlisted in June.
But on Thursday, the airline announced it would open the Qantas Group Pilot Academy in two locations.
Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Neil Grose said the city was “very much at the top of the list” of suitable locations for a pilot school.
“It’s very exciting … Launceston has so many advantages,” he said.
“Its proximity to the university and the university’s willingness to work with Qantas as well as the assets at the airport.
“There is a staffed air control tower plus a state of the art terminal, all of which make it highly likely Launceston could host one of the two academies.”
Mr Grose said the chamber had been pushing for the school since it was announced at the beginning of the year.
“It’s a very significant development for Launceston from an economic point of view,” he said.
“It’s expected up to 500 pilots will be trained a year, and it’s a two-year course so that’s 1000 students, which is a similar scale to the maritime college, and if you look at the economic impact of the maritime college it’s been huge.”
Throughout the bidding process, Launceston Airport General Manager Paul Hodgen also noted the airport’s unique offerings.
“There is a range of instrument approaches available for training and an instrument landing system,” he said.
“There’s also the education offering around the University of Tasmania and the Australian Maritime College, both in terms of accommodation and the delivery of educational content.”
A decision is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
As well as Launceston, Alice Springs, Bendigo, Busselton, Dubbo, Mackay, Tamworth, Toowoomba and Wagga Wagga are in the running.
Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said to reach the academy’s potential, two locations were ultimately needed.
“We’re aiming to train up to 100 pilots in year one, but we expect this to grow to as many as 500 a year and that can only be achieved if we have more than one location,” Mr Joyce said.
“Adding up to 250 students plus instructors and support staff to any of these places needs the right infrastructure at airports, but also in the towns themselves.”
The first site is expected to be operational next year, while the second site will open by 2020.
“We’ve been really impressed with the enthusiasm from each of the shortlisted cities,” Mr Joyce said.
“There’s a lot of excitement about using the academy to leverage more jobs and investment for the region.”
It is expected 790,000 additional pilots will be required globally over the next 20 years.
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Melissa Mobbs
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
