The announcement that QantasLink will close its regional bases in Canberra, Hobart, and Mildura by April 2026 has ignited fears among rural Australians regarding potential impacts on essential services, including health and education, as well as local economies. This decision comes shortly after the voluntary administration of Rex Airlines and the collapse of budget airline Bonza, further highlighting the challenges facing regional aviation in Australia.
The Mildura Rural City Council expressed deep concerns in its submission to a Senate inquiry focused on the reliability and affordability of aviation services in rural areas. The council emphasized that Mildura Airport serves as a vital link to regional centers in Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. “It is a lifeline for our community, underpinning economic activity, health access, education, and social connectivity,” the submission stated.
The council warned that the closure of QantasLink’s bases could deter future investments in the region. “When confidence in air connectivity erodes, the entire regional economy suffers,” the council added, underlining the interconnectedness of air travel and economic health in rural communities.
The impending closures will affect approximately 70 staff across the three bases, including 31 cabin crew. Initially, QantasLink did not provide redundancy packages, suggesting that employees could relocate to larger cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. However, many employees have established roots in their current locations, with home ownership, family obligations, and local business ties complicating their potential relocation.
The Flight Attendants’ Association of Australia criticized QantasLink’s approach, describing the decision as a “commercial decision” that carries significant human costs. “It treats loyal, long-serving regional staff as transferable assets, ignoring the complex web of family, economic, and social ties that bind them to their communities,” the association stated.
In response to the backlash, QantasLink has since offered various financial packages, including redundancy options and support for commuting or relocating.
QantasLink’s chief executive, Rachel Yangoyan, addressed the Senate inquiry, stating that Australia is not alone in facing challenges with regional airlines. The operational costs of regional services are significantly higher on a per-seat basis compared to metropolitan routes, which is attributed to increased airport charges, as well as higher fuel and maintenance expenses.
Despite these challenges, Yangoyan highlighted that Qantas has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in upgrading its regional fleet and currently operates 102 routes to 62 regional destinations. “This month marks 105 years since Qantas was founded in outback Australia, and while we at times need to make tough decisions, we are as committed as ever to investing in the future of regional Australia,” she stated.
Representatives from airlines, local councils, and unions are expected to provide testimony to the Senate inquiry at Parliament House in Canberra, shedding further light on the implications of these closures for rural communities and the future of regional air travel in Australia.
