Qantas has announced the indefinite cancellation of flights between Adelaide and Mount Gambier, along with the suspension of four additional routes, attributing these decisions to decreased demand and rising fuel costs.
The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU), which advocates for aviation employees, expressed that the recent cuts were unexpected for staff members.
While Qantas maintains that no direct positions will be eliminated as a result of these changes, the TWU has raised concerns about the implications for contracted workers, whose job security remains uncertain.
Aviation personnel affected by the route cancellations learned about the situation through media reports, according to the TWU. On Tuesday, Qantas officially declared the termination of all flights from Adelaide to Mount Gambier, alongside the suspension of four other routes. Additionally, the airline plans to reduce flights on other domestic routes, leading to an overall capacity decrease of 5 percent.
Qantas has cited rising fuel expenses and declining passenger demand as the primary reasons for discontinuing the Adelaide to Mount Gambier route indefinitely.
Emily McMillan, the national assistant secretary of TWU, stated that the union and its members were caught off guard by the announcement, learning about the cancellations simultaneously with the general public. She expressed concern about the recurring trend of regional base closures and job reductions occurring at inconvenient times.
In response to inquiries regarding employment impacts, Qantas confirmed that its decision to cut flights would not affect jobs directly associated with the airline. However, McMillan pointed out that staff at airports, who are frequently employed as contractors, face an uncertain future.
She further emphasized the need for improved regulation of airlines to ensure service continuity to regional areas. “When airlines can dictate their own policies, they prioritize profits over services, resulting in regional communities being neglected,” she stated. “There will always be pressures on the aviation industry, whether from COVID-19, fuel prices, or international circumstances.”
Qantas reported that some flights between Adelaide and Mount Gambier were operating at less than 20 percent capacity. Currently, the airline provides service four days a week, with one flight each on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Weekday departures from Adelaide occur around 10:30 AM, while flights returning from Mount Gambier leave shortly after noon. Sunday flights depart Adelaide at approximately 3 PM, with return flights scheduled for 4:20 PM.
Kylie Boston, the mayor of the District Council of Grant, criticized the flight schedules, stating that they do not accommodate business needs effectively. “For these flights to be viable, we require services that allow travel to either Adelaide or Melbourne in the early morning, with returns in the evening,” she remarked. “This connectivity is essential for our community.”
Qantas indicated that it had attempted to increase passenger numbers by modifying flight schedules and offering promotional fares. The airline also mentioned that discussions regarding the route had taken place with state and federal lawmakers in the month leading up to the recent announcement.
