QantasLink could soon shutter its Canberra base, along with Mildura and Hobart. Photo: Canberra Airport.
A Qantas review of its ‘base footprint’ in three regional markets could see the shuttering of QantasLink bases in Canberra, Mildura and Hobart, prompting concern among politicians and condemnation from the transport union.
This would mean cabin crew and pilots based in these hubs would relocate to centres such as Melbourne and Sydney.
These bases currently employ about 70 staff, 30 of whom live in Canberra.
QantasLink has previously stated that more employees in its busiest ports would reduce delays and cancellations.
The move has triggered a swift response from the Transport Workers Union, which has condemned the review as leaving regional Australians behind.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said for cities like Canberra, this will have a huge impact.
“Here, you’ve got concerns like fog. You’ve got the ups and downs, peaks and troughs of Canberra flight traffic related to parliamentary sittings, etc. How can it be that not having people based here is going to be better in terms of consistency?
“This is a bad idea from Qantas. They’ve had lots of bad ideas in the last few years, and they just don’t seem to be learning.”
The TWU is currently meeting with politicians and Qantas to negotiate over the review.
Mr Kaine said the carrier’s actions were proof of a culture of indifference at the airline.
“We’ve seen this consistently from Qantas now over the last number of years. We were hopeful that after the Joyce regime ended, there would be some change, but we’re still waiting to see that.”
In its response to the review, the TWU highlighted the record $2.39 billion profit the airline made over the last year, as well as the recent record $90 million fine it received.
Mr Kaine said the TWU would be engaging with the airline openly during its review process, but said he doesn’t have much hope of being heard.
“When Qantas says these things, unfortunately, it’s often that they’ve already made the decision and they’re just figuring out how they can message it through the community. But we’ll take them on face value. We’ll be meeting with them next week.”
For Mr Kaine, this review is evidence that Australia needs an independent aviation authority to rein in unnecessary cost-cutting exercises.
The announcement of the review has also raised concerns among politicians.
ACT Senator David Pocock said this review is concerning, and he has been in touch with both major parties and the union to discuss next steps.
“Multiple Qantas employees who are also constituents have been in touch with my office, saying how distressed they are about the proposal to close the QantasLink base in Canberra,” he said.
“I will be raising my concerns directly with Qantas and also holding discussions with colleagues about what further actions we may be able to take in the parliament.
“As one of Qantas’s biggest customers, I expect the federal government should also have considerable influence over this decision.”
Members of the government have also expressed reservations about the review.
Labor MP for Canberra Alicia Payne said she was very concerned about the potential closure.
“It’s hard to see how this won’t impact the availability of flights for Canberrans or delays and flight cancellations,” she said.
“Myself and my Labor colleagues will speak to Qantas and the union to seek to understand this decision.”
Qantas is in the process of consulting staff and unions before making a final decision on the future of the bases.
Qantas did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
