Qantas has officially opened its new Product Innovation Centre in Adelaide, with South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas joining Qantas Group Chief Technology, AI and Transformation Officer Rachel Yangoyan to mark the milestone.
Based in the Adelaide CBD, the purpose-built technology and innovation centre will accelerate the delivery of intuitive, world-leading digital experiences for the millions of customers who travel with the airline each year.
It will become the home of the airline’s technology product development teams, where product managers, digital experience designers, software engineers, and data and AI specialists will come together to transform how customers interact with Qantas across the entire journey.
The first 50 employees have already begun working from new offices, with Qantas currently recruiting for a further 40 roles. The airline remains on track to grow the Centre, which is being supported by the South Australian Government, to more than 400 digital and technology roles over the next three years, bringing critical innovation capability in-house.
A pilot team was established in a temporary space in March, ahead of the move into the new Centre. Since then, the team has been working on real-time customer feedback tools and new digital experiences, using AI built by our own people with our own data, to test, prototype, and solve customer problems faster.
Qantas is also partnering with Adelaide University to build graduate recruitment pathways directly into the Centre, creating opportunities for South Australian students to help shape the future of travel. Hundreds of applications were received for the first intake, with graduates starting in February of next year.
Qantas Group Chief Technology, AI and Transformation Officer Rachel Yangoyan said South Australia was the right place to grow the airline’s long-term technology capability.
“Where we’re heading with technology and AI is about knowing our customers better, anticipating what they need, and making every part of their journey feel connected. This Centre is central to that. It’s already helping us tap into some of the best talent in the country to build more personalised travel experiences for the millions of customers who fly with us every year.
“Adelaide gives us access to world-class universities, a thriving tech community, and the ability to scale our in-house capability. It’s an investment in Australian innovation that will deliver real benefits for our customers into the future.”
Comments from South Australian Premier the Hon Peter Malinauskas:
“Qantas is one of Australia’s most iconic companies, and the decision to establish its first Product Innovation Centre outside Sydney here in Adelaide is a major vote of confidence in South Australia.”
“This Centre will create more than 400 highly-skilled digital jobs. This brings new opportunities for South Australians and helps attract some of the best and brightest from interstate to SA.”
“The graduate pathway will also give the next generation of South Australian talent a direct pathway into some of Australia’s most exciting technology careers.”
