Qantas Axes Staff Bases in Canberra, Hobart and Mildura: Dozens of Jobs to Go as Airline Embarks on Brutal Restructure
- Seventy pilots and cabin crew will be affected by the closures, with many facing the prospect of relocating or commuting to major cities.
- The Transport Workers Union has slammed the decision, claiming it will have “life-changing effects” on staff and harm regional communities.
- Qantas insists the move will help it deliver a more reliable service and reduce delays, but critics argue it’s a devastating blow to staff and the regions.
Qantas has sparked outrage among staff and regional communities after announcing the closure of three staff bases in Canberra, Hobart and Mildura. The airline claims the brutal restructure is necessary to improve efficiency and reduce delays, but critics argue it’s a heartless move that will devastate dozens of families.
The closures, which will take effect in 2026, will affect around 70 pilots and cabin crew, many of whom will be forced to relocate or commute to major cities. Qantas has offered a support package to affected staff, including relocation assistance and confirmed flights, but the Transport Workers Union (TWU) has slammed the decision as a “complete failure” by the airline to listen to its workforce.
“This is a decision that will have life-changing effects on pilots and cabin crew who were told their jobs in these bases were safe, and who made significant decisions on that assurance,” TWU national assistant secretary Emily McMillan said. “Qantas continues to put exorbitant profits over people, and it’s a mark of the disdain it still has towards its workforce and the Australian community.”
QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan defended the decision, claiming it would help the airline deliver a more reliable service and reduce delays. “We have dozens of new aircraft joining the QantasLink fleet in the coming years, and this decision will help us provide customers with opportunities to fly to more destinations and benefit from more frequencies across our regional network,” she said.
Despite the closures, Qantas insists that flights into Canberra, Hobart and Mildura will continue as usual. The airline has also committed to maintaining its A220 engineering base in Canberra and employing more than 120 people in the ACT.
However, the TWU remains unconvinced, arguing that the decision will have far-reaching consequences for regional communities. “Pilots, cabin crew, regional communities and our political leaders across the spectrum have urged Qantas to reconsider, but its decision to push ahead anyway is a devastating blow to the regions,” McMillan said.
The closures are the latest in a series of cost-cutting measures by Qantas, which has been under pressure to improve its bottom line in the face of increasing competition and rising costs. However, the airline’s decision to axe staff bases in Canberra, Hobart and Mildura is likely to spark widespread outrage and criticism, with many arguing that it’s a heartless move that will devastate dozens of families and harm regional communities.