Mackay Airport’s newest tenant is set to open this week with Aircraft Australia ready to launch their new flight training and air charter services.
Aircraft Australia joins Horizon Airways in offering Mackay local students pathway opportunities to exciting careers in pilot training, aircraft engineering and aviation operations.
North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker said he was delighted to welcome Aircraft Australia to Mackay Airport, further realising the Airport’s ambition to become an aviation education hub for the next generation of pilots.
“After what has been an incredibly difficult 18 months, the announcement this week of a new service provider is a real vote of confidence for Mackay and the airline industry as it rebuilds from the pandemic.
“Expanding our aircraft training and charter services is a big part of our vision for the Airport and the partnership Aircraft Australia has in place with Central Queensland University (CQU) means local students have an opportunity to complete their training right here in Mackay.”
Aircraft Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Steven Alves said the new partnership with Mackay Airport provided an important opportunity for high-quality training for the pilots of tomorrow.
“Mackay is the perfect location with excellent year-round weather and its an ideal location for us to be expanding our operations into.
“Aircraft Australia has trained thousands of pilots since we began operations back in 2010 through our centres in Redcliffe and Bundaberg and this centre in Mackay means we now have the capacity to train up to 500 students a year in Queensland.
“Through our partnership with Mackay Airport and Central Queensland University we’re looking forward to enrolling around 80 students in Mackay and this means we’ll now have the capacity to train in excess of 150 local students a year.”
Mackay was identified as the second site for the Qantas pilot academy back in 2019, with plans currently paused due to the pandemic.
To mark the opening of Aircraft Australia at Mackay Airport, they will throw open their doors on Wednesday 13th October from 12.00pm – 6.00pm. Representatives from Central Queensland University will be available to discuss career options in aviation and there be will information sessions on their Bachelor of Aviation, Graduate Diploma in Flight Management and Aircraft Engineering.
Aircraft Australia will also be offering all aspiring pilots an opportunity to ‘take-off’, with free flights as part of the Open Day
