More competition has emerged for a Qantas pilot academy as Dubbo makes a bid to host the facility.
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Nick Xenophon wants Qantas pilots to train in regional South Australia.
The SA-BEST leader says he'll ensure the next state government provide the airline with a financial incentive to set up a training base in Whyalla or Port Lincoln, if his party holds the balance of power after the March 17 election.
"The training staff, trainee pilots, support staff and ancillary staff would all live and work in the area, injecting millions of dollars a year into the local economy," Mr Xenophon said.
Last month Qantas announced plans to address the global pilot shortage by setting up what it said could eventually be the southern hemisphere's largest flight academy.
The company plans to open the $20 million school in 2019 in regional Australia and train 500 pilots a year.
"Boeing estimates the world will need about 640,000 more pilots in the next 20 years, with 40 per cent in the Asia Pacific region," Chief executive Alan Joyce said last month.
He said the company would look not just at the financial incentive package offered by states but existing infrastructure when picking a location.
"Over time, we see the potential for the academy to become a competitive advantage for Australia in the region, it could train pilots for other airlines and grow into the largest academy of its kind in the southern hemisphere," he said.
Dubbo mayor Ben Shields posted a video to social media to show Dubbo’s case for the Qantas academy.