Qantas to Close Three Bases, Affecting 70 Pilots and Cabin Crew

SYDNEY– Qantas Group regional subsidiary, QantasLink (QF), has confirmed plans to shut its pilot and cabin crew bases in Hobart (HBA), Canberra (CBR), and Mildura (MQL) from April next year. The move will affect around 70 employees across the three locations.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) strongly criticised the decision, calling it damaging for regional communities. Federal Transport Minister Catherine King also urged the airline to reconsider and safeguard local jobs.

Photo: By Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61147715

Qantas to Close Three Bases

QantasLink chief executive Rachel Yangoyan said the closures were designed to streamline operations and improve reliability. She noted that consolidating crew bases would allow the airline to deliver a more consistent service for passengers, especially as the carrier continues its fleet renewal program.

The airline assured staff that they would not be forced to relocate permanently. Affected employees in Hobart (HBA), Canberra (CBR), and Mildura (MQL) will be given the option to remain in their communities while working from a major base.

A support package has been offered to assist crew members and their families during the transition.

Photo: By Bidgee – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72800554

Political and Union Response

The Transport Workers Union described the decision as a setback for regional aviation. It argued that closing these bases weakens Qantas’ (QF) ties with regional communities and risks undermining job security for skilled aviation workers.

Transport Minister Catherine King echoed these concerns. She stressed that airlines must act as long-term partners for regional Australia, not just service providers. King urged Qantas to guarantee no job losses and to maintain service levels across the affected routes.

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Fleet Renewal and Future Strategy

Despite the closures, QantasLink emphasised its ongoing investment in regional aviation. The carrier is in the process of upgrading its fleet, with Airbus A220 aircraft and additional Q400 turboprops set to join over the coming years. These additions are expected to boost efficiency and reliability across domestic operations.

Qantas said these changes are part of a broader plan to modernise its regional services while addressing operational challenges. The airline has positioned the fleet renewal as a long-term commitment to regional connectivity, even as its staffing structure undergoes significant change.

Photo: Qantas

Outlook for Regional Communities

For Hobart (HBA), Canberra (CBR), and Mildura (MQL), the closures mark a shift in how QantasLink supports its workforce outside major hubs. While the airline insists there will be no reduction in flight services, the decision raises questions about how regional aviation jobs will be sustained in the future.

Both the government and unions are likely to keep pressure on Qantas (QF) to balance efficiency with its responsibility to regional communities. The ultimate impact of the base closures will depend on how the airline implements its support measures and manages its ongoing commitment to regional routes.

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