The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA), which represents pilots in the Qantas Group, is calling on the Federal Government to urgently bring forward funds under its aviation support package to save the industry from ruin.
The call comes as Victoria’s second wave outbreak of COVID-19 grounds domestic aircraft and as passenger numbers through Sydney Airport hit record lows.
AIPA President Mark Sedgwick said pilots welcomed the Government’s support for aviation announced at the onset of the crisis but it was no longer fit for purpose due to mass groundings of Australia’s commercial fleet.
“This second wave of the virus is nothing short of a kick in the guts for pilots, with more planes on the ground now than when travel restrictions were first put in place at the onset of the pandemic,” Mr Sedgwick said.
“Things have gone from bad to worse, meanwhile funds committed under the Federal Government’s aviation support package remain locked up while the industry suffers.”
Mr Sedgwick said the Federal Government committed $715 million in a sector-wide aviation support package at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March, including a waiver of aviation fuel excise, air service charges and domestic and regional aviation security charges. However, with international flights unlikely until the middle of next year and a fraction of domestic capacity currently operating, the economic benefits of the current support package are limited.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t much a discount on fuel is going to do when we’re not travelling anywhere across the country,” he said.
“Regional and intra-state tourism in no way makes up for the reduction in cross-border domestic flights.”
“The industry needs urgent assistance to see it through its darkest days, including support for training to keep vital workers such as pilots skilled up and ready to go once travel restrictions are lifted.”
“There is no aviation industry without pilots and their skills and experience must be maintained so we can get the economy moving again as soon as possible.”
“AIPA recently put forward a proposal to government for a skill retention, training and study program to keep experienced Australian pilots in the industry until demand returns.”
“The proposed ‘Pilot Keeper’ program seeks to ensure Australian pilots receive support necessary to undertake the requisite training to avoid a degradation of skills while stood down and to fast track the stand up once travel resumes.”
“In May Qantas cut more than 6,000 staff, while Virgin Australia entered voluntary administration in April before announcing 3,000 redundancies, reduced its range of aircraft to just one type and limited its suite of regional routes.”
“Both airlines have stood down most of their remaining workforces, many of whom are now reliant solely on Job Keeper payments or drawing down their accrued employee entitlements, like annual and long-service leave.”
