The airline is looking at the potential impact of closing bases in Hobart, Mildura and Canberra and relocating team members to larger bases in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
“Having more team members based at our busiest ports would help us respond more quickly to disruptions and reduce delays and cancellations for our customers,” said Rachel Yangoyan, QantasLink CEO.
The announcement is part of a broader review of the airline’s base structure, which is looking at ways to improve reliability for customers and support the growth of QantasLink’s regional flying network as it introduces new aircraft into its fleet.
In a statement, the airline said any decision to close the bases would impact around 70 QantasLink members, with ongoing work available for all pilots and cabin crew in other locations. Any decision would not impact flights to and from these ports.
“If a decision is made to close these bases, there’ll be ongoing work for all of our pilots and cabin crew, and we’re committed to supporting our people through this process,” said Ms Yangoyan.
According to the airline, closing the bases would also reduce complexity and costs, enabling it to continue growing the network and delivering more flights to regional communities.
The review is reportedly ongoing and QantasLink says it will consult with staff and their union representatives before making any final decisions.
However, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) says the closure of these bases would cause significant upheaval for cabin crew and pilots, and inconvenience Aussie travellers in regional areas.
“Without permanently-based crew and pilots in these locations, the closures would have the potential to cause more cancellations, particularly in Canberra, once again resulting in a decline in standards for passengers,” the TWU said in a statement.
“Like with the administration of Rex, regional Australia would once again be left behind were the closures to go ahead, with fewer local jobs and reduced services.”
The TWU is calling for a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to ensure decisions in aviation are made in the interest of the entire community.
“Qantas has tried to convince us time and again that it has changed its ways. But this proposal shows there is still serious work to be done to change a deeply-embedded culture of indifference towards workers’ and passengers’ lives,” said Michael Kaine, TWU National Secretary.
“After making near-record profits of $2.39 billion the airline is proposing to repay the Australian people by bringing the industry backwards.”
