Dubbo Regional Council has a better chance of securing the Qantas Pilot Academy with Tamworth Regional Council announcing they are out of the race, having secured a ‘world-class’ Virgin Australia pilot school.
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Qantas Group Pilot Academy executive manager Wes Nobelius said it was “great to see more airlines investing in training new pilots” and “great news for Tamworth and regional Australia”.
“We’ve already announced our first pilot academy location at Toowoomba and are progressing a second location from a list of seven remaining shortlisted cities,” Mr Nobelius said.
Dubbo is on the shortlist along with Alice Springs, Bendigo, Busselton, Launceston, Mackay and Wagga Wagga.
Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Ben Shields said “Dubbo has always had the best chance” out of the NSW sites applying for the pilot academy.
“We’ve always been miles in front anyway and that is because of the unique geographic position we’re in,” Cr Shields said.
“Other organisations have already seen Dubbo as the most important place to be at, such as the Royal Flying Doctors Service.
“I would be very surprised if Qantas haven’t already identified Dubbo as the place to be.”
He said the Dubbo application, having “nearly 100 per cent public support” and its flexibility gave it an edge over other regional centres proposals.
“I really want to emphasise we are quite open to further discussions ... how committed council is and how far we will go to try and obtain Qantas in Dubbo.”
“Qantas would have such an easy run in Dubbo, the risk to set up in Dubbo would be far lower than what it would be in any other regional city.”