Dubbo mayor Ben Shields remains hopeful the city will be able to secure the second of two Qantas regional pilot academies, despite missing out on the first.
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The airline on Thursday announced Toowoomba as the location for the facility to train the next generation of aviators.
The southern Queensland airport edged out Dubbo and another seven cities Qantas had placed on a shortlist after calling for interest earlier this year.
The airline advises the eight remaining locations are “still under consideration for the second academy site”, and that a decision will be made before the end of the year.
Cr Shields offered his congratulations to Toowoomba, but was “still hopeful” Dubbo would be able to “secure the second academy for NSW”.
“I’d like to congratulate Toowoomba on being announced as one of two regional Qantas pilot academies and the city and Queensland will benefit from significant increase in economic activity,” Cr Shields said.
“I am happy to have had contact with Qantas representatives following the announcement and will continue to advocate for Dubbo to be selected for the second academy and pleased that Dubbo [is] still in the running with a second announcement expected later this year.
“Our case is very strong.
“With state government and community support we can show Qantas that establishing the pilot academy in Dubbo is the best option for the second regional academy.”
The mayor noted Dubbo has been mentioned numerous times for the “quality and creative nature of its pitch for the academy” in past months, particularly with efforts made on social media.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
