Qantas Airways’ domestic regional carrier QantasLink has disclosed that it is shuttering crew bases in Canberra, Hobart and Mildura, arguing it helps to mitigate potential flight delays and disruptions.

The airline says it plans to consolidate its crew this year in Australia’s three largest capital cities – Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne – resulting in the closure of the three smaller crew bases.

Qantas says it has done “extensive review and consultation period” and sees the change will strengthen its operations.

“The changes impact around 70 pilots and cabin crew, who will be offered a comprehensive support package to enable them and their families to remain living in Hobart, Canberra or Mildura, while working out of a major base,” says QantasLink.

“Employees will be offered support for confirmed flights, an allowance to assist with things like accommodation and potential rostering support for a minimum of two years after the base closes.”

QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan says in the statement: “We have dozens of new aircraft joining the QantasLink fleet in the coming years and this decision will help us provide customers with opportunities to fly to more destinations and benefit from more frequencies across our regional network.”

She says in Australia’s aviation industry it is not uncommon for workers to fly-in-fly-out.

Editor’s comments: The Australian Transport Workers’ Union says some of the affected personnel had already told the airline that they were opposed to the move and that they may leave the company as a result.

The airline is offering a two-year support package to make the fly-in, fly-out arrangement more palatable, but it is unclear whether the support will continue after two years.

QantasLink operates de Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft to Mildura, a town in northern Victoria, while it operates a mix of Dash 8-400s and Airbus A220s to Canberra and primarily A220s to Hobart.

Pilots generally want to move up to bigger equipment. If they are based in a big city like Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne there is really no reason for them to continue flying smaller aircraft like the Dash 8 and A220 if there is opportunity to fly bigger aircraft, which there will be now they will be in the big city.

Having some pilots and cabin crew based in smaller cities is a strategic advantage, because it boosts staff retention. If stepping up to bigger equipment, means leaving their hometown, some pilots and cabin crew may avoid doing that. Also if some of your pilots and cabin crew are based in the smaller city, you can have the first flight out in the morning, a competitive advantage.

Feature picture from QantasLink shows one of its Dash 8-400s at an airport in regional Australia.