Qantas is set to base a full-time aeronautical engineer in Broome to facilitate the cancellation of flights that force locals to accommodate stranded passengers who cannot find accommodation.
Key points:
- Broome will be serviced by a full-time Qantas engineer after multiple cancellations from the city’s airport
- The union of aeronautical engineers said the problem was caused by a lack of staffing in regional centers
- The cancellations have disappointed Broome locals, who are accommodating stranded passengers who cannot find accommodation.
The cancellations affect the hotspot in Western Australia at the busiest time of the year, as accommodation prices rise and rooms are booked months in advance.
Qantas, which has seen numerous cancellations at Broome International Airport over the past two months, said the disruptions were caused by “COVID staffing challenges” and “engineering requirements”.
The airline confirmed to ABC that it has sent a full-time engineer to service flights at the city’s airport to deal with technical problems.
“We already have a full-time engineer based in Broome and [are] we are working to build our local engineering capabilities to minimize the risk of cancellation, “a spokesman said.
Constant “release” behind the problems
The federal secretary of the Australian Association of Licensed Aeronautical Engineers (ALAEA), Steve Parvinas, said the move had led to redundancies in the northwestern part of the state.
He said two engineers based at Karata Airport before the pandemic were regularly transported to airports around the northwest to service Qantas planes.
Mr Purvinas said that had changed since the pandemic hit, with the airline withdrawing a flight engineer from Karata Airport, which serves many communities in the Pilbara area.
“This was not a one-off COVID event. It was a permanent weakening of this port, “he said.
“IN [engineering] The problems that happened in Broome this year are not because someone has COVID.
“Broome is not served [by a full-time engineer] for 20 years. “
He said that the airline has now “permanently thrown a person from QantasLink to Broome, which we think is a better option”.
“The steps are positive, but they cannot undo the delays that passengers have suffered so far,” Mr Purvinas said.
Residents affected by cancellations
Residents and business operators in Broome were disappointed with the canceled flights, which they said left the city to deal with the consequences.
Shire of Broome President Harold Tracy said the “disappointing” situation may have left tourists with a bad feeling after their holiday.
“When you’re stuck at an airport and waiting to get home, it doesn’t matter where you are,” he said.
“It won’t leave you with the fondest memory.”
Passenger Anthony Hinckley was disappointed with the cancellation two weeks ago, but was amazed at the kindness of locals who accommodated him after Qantas staff could not find accommodation.
“I’ve seen people just show up at the airport, ladies, gentlemen, all kinds of different people, [and say]”I have a room. “Who would want to come?” “And, bam, they would just go,” he said.
“So my experience in Broome was: I love people, I loved everything I did up there.
“Will I come again? Yes, but next time I’ll fly with Virgin.”
Virgin Australia has also canceled several flights to Broome International Airport.
Delays and cancellations have become the norm in airports around Australia, which have jumped in flight following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, but without enough staff to service them.
Last week, Qantas announced that it would reduce the number of flights in the regional WA next month to manage the impact of COVID-19 on staff levels.
Published , updated
