Toowoomba shortlisted for Qantas pilot training academy:

Toowoomba shortlisted as location to build a pilot training academy

TOOWOOMBA could be the location for Qantas’ new pilot training academy.

Nine regional cities, including Toowoomba, Mackay, Alice Springs, Bendigo, Busselton, Dubbo, Launceston, are being consideration as a location for the academy.

If Toowoomba’s bid is successful, it is expected to be built close to Wellcamp Airport.

A Qantas spokesperson said estimates suggested the global airline industry needed more than 640,000 more pilots over the next 20 years - 40 per cent of them in the Asia Pacific.

“Last month, regional cities and state governments were invited to coordinate their applications, putting forward their best case to be the home of the new Pilot Academy,” the spokesperson said.

“Criteria included access to uncongested airspace, a certain number of clear weather days per year and infrastructure to support and accommodate up to 100 students in the first year of operation.”

More than 60 regional cities put forward a proposal and nine regional cities across Australia.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the State Government had worked closely with Queensland’s regional centres to put forward proposals.

“Toowoomba and Mackay have strong regional communities, offering great lifestyle opportunities, excellent supply capabilities and established infrastructure networks with easy connectivity both nationally and internationally,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

The Qantas Group Pilot Academy management team will visit these nine cities in coming weeks to evaluate the feasibility of each location.

A decision on the academy’s location is expected to be made in the third quarter of this year.

The academy is due to open its doors in 2019.