Some QantasLink crews are facing a lengthy commute to work or relocation with Hobart, Canberra, Mildura bases set to close in 2026.
A statement from the airline says they will support their affected pilot and cabin crews if they chose to stay where they live and commute to work or relocate.
The crews will be consolidated into the airline’s Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane bases, QantasLink says.
Airline chief executive officer Rachel Yangoyan claims the decision to ‘fold’ its three regional bases into its metro bases will allow them to respond to disruptions better.
“We have dozens of new aircraft joining the fleet in coming years,” she says, adding that the move will allow them to fly to more destinations and more frequently across their regional routes.
“Relocating these jobs to other bases will not impact any of our flights into Canberra, Hobart or Mildura,” she says.
Yangoyan says their support for the crews will include flight and accommodation support for those who want to commute to work.
QANTAS CALL ‘IS TERRIBLE’
In a social media post, Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley called it a “terrible decision” for the 30 affected workers on the island state.
Efforts by the Tasmanian government to lobby the airline to keep the Hobart base open proved in vain.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff told state parliament last week that they wanted the base to stay and had reached out to the airline before the decision was announced.
“It is the government’s very firm position that Tasmanian families and jobs stay in our state through the continued operation of a Hobart base,” he said.
“This is an island state, and access to our state is so critically important, in terms of capacity, in terms of the tourism industry and everything else.”
CANBERRA SENATOR DISAPPOINTED
Canberra Independent Senator David Pocock described the decision as “very disappointing but not surprising”.
“I remain concerned that this (decision) risks fewer crews on the ground, more cancellations and higher costs for families and businesses in Canberra,” he wrote in a social media post.
He called on Qantas to focus on reducing delays and cancellations on its Canberra service.
TWU REACTS
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) condemned the news; it says a survey it and allied unions (AFAP and AIPA) of affected pilots showed 68% would consider other work if bases closed with 1-in-5 already affected by base closures in Perth and Cairns.
TWU national Assistant Secretary Emily McMillan says the decision “will have life-changing” effects on flight crews who had been assured that their jobs were safe.
“Qantas afforded extra funding and transition times because of the impact it will have on affected employees’ lives but stops short of admitting that its decision is wrong,” she says.
“We desperately need a Safe and Secure Skies Commission, which could ensure that when these decisions are made, they weigh up the needs of the entire community—not just executives’ bonuses.”
TWU VIC/TAS Director of Organising Sam Lynch says that “aviation workers aren’t expendable”.
“Regional Australia and Tasmania are once again being left behind with these closures.
“These changes mean fewer local jobs and the potential for standards to be lowered for Tasmanians.”
OTHER QANTAS NEWS: Airline to boost domestic, trans-Tasman services
