Mildura community leaders have criticised Qantas’s decision to close its local staff base.
On Wednesday, Qantas confirmed it would close its three smallest bases, located in Mildura, Hobart and Canberra, impacting about 70 staff.
Qantas saeid affected staff would be consolidated into its Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane bases to strengthen the resilience of QantasLink’s operation.
Federal member for Mallee Anne Webster said the decision was a “slap in the face to the Sunraysia region”, were there were eight staff.
“[The] decision to close the mildura Qantas base next April shows total disrespect to long-standing Mildura residents, pilots and cabin crew, who have served with distinction,” she said.
“This is the thanks they get? Just two years’ support to commute from Mildura to alternate ‘bases’, with no guarantee after that and unclear financial support [for] relocating to expensive capital cities.”
On social media, state Member for mildura Jade Benham said the decision made no sense and was done to “save a buck”.
she also called on Virgin australia to return to Mildura, stating: “We want you back.”
staff offered relocation
Qantas said it would offer a support package to staff who wanted to remain employed but stay in Hobart, Canberra or Mildura.
Qantas Mildura Flights Unaffected by Staff Base Closure
Qantas said the staff base closure would not impact flights to and from Mildura.
QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan said the decision would actually lead to more reliable services across the country.
Rachel Yangoyan says the change will help the airline respond to disruptions and improve reliability. (ABC News: Kate Nickels)
Mildura Rural city Council chief executive officer Martin Hawson said it was reassuring to hear Qantas was not reducing services as a result of the change.
qantaslink currently operates 24 return flights to and from Mildura each week.
Temporary changes were made to the Mildura flight schedule late last year, when the airline transitioned to a single fleet of Q400 aircraft.