NEWS Pilot hub meeting proves fruitful

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner believes the Northern Territory is in prime position to be the home of Qantas’ proposed $20 million international aviation academy.

The Chief Minister was upbeat and confident after talks about the academy with Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce in Alice Springs on Friday.

“I had an excellent conversation with Alan Joyce,” Mr Gunner said. “The Northern Territory is very much a part of Qantas’ heritage and he was enthusiastic about us being a part of its future.

“It was an extremely positive meeting. I made it clear to Mr Joyce that we are definitely in the hunt and we will put in an extremely competitive bid.

“I want this pilot academy for the Territory and the job and economic opportunities that come with it.

“This has serious international opportunities. Qantas is addressing a global pilot shortage and the academy would not only train pilots for Qantas but in all likelihood pilots for other airlines.” Mr Gunner said Darwin and Alice Springs had good cases to be considered for the academy.

“I think we have a distinct advantage in that the airports in the Territory, whether it is Alice Springs or Darwin, there is only one owner,” he said.

“This is a very competitive process, but I think the NT is far better placed to do that than other jurisdictions.

“There may be as many as 30 airports interested in chasing this academy. Each of the airports are directly competing with each other.”

Qantas is asking states for support for its proposed flying academy.

“We are looking to each of the states and territories, not only on what incentive packages they typically provide to other companies doing similar things that would be available to the Qantas Group, but what facilities they may have already,” Mr Joyce said.

A host of Far North Queensland towns, including Cairns and Townsville, have indicated their plans to pitch for the Qantas flying academy.