AIRPORT West was at the centre of more political attention than it
has received in years when Premier Denis Napthine last week visited the
specialised Qantas aviation training centre and new 787 flight
simulator.
The visit accompanied an announcement that the state government
has “partnered” with Qantas budget carrier Jetstar to make Melbourne the
home base for its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
About 100 new jobs, more than half of which will be high-tech and
specialty engineering roles, come with the deal, which Dr Napthine
described as “a modest investment [from the state] for a great return”.
Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said the 787 had strong
connections to Victoria, with parts of the aircraft manufactured at
Boeing Aerostructures Australia’s facility in Port Melbourne.
Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said jobs included cabin crew
trainers, simulator instructors and engineers to support the aircraft
and a dedicated Jetstar maintenance facility at Melbourne Airport.
“Jetstar is leasing a wide-body hangar from the Qantas Group to
undertake line maintenance for the 787 and it is being fitted out with
the latest equipment and tooling,” she said, adding that 48 engineers
and 10 pilots had finished training and more were being trained.
“Our cabin crew will be the next group of Jetstar team members to
be trained to operate on the aircraft using our dedicated facilities at
Airport West. The excitement around the entire Jetstar team is building.
“The aircraft’s revolutionary design, which includes larger
windows, improved cabin pressure and smoother flying, will ensure it
becomes a destination in itself.”
Jetstar is expected to take delivery of the first new airliner by
the end of September – it will be used on domestic flights initially.
The first international 787 flights are due to be launched by year’s
end.
Delivery of the Dreamliners to Jetstar will mean its A330s can be
transferred to Qantas after cabin refits. This will enable the
progressive retirement of Qantas’ Boeing 767 fleet by mid-2015.
