The NSW Government has struck a groundbreaking partnership with Qantas to secure the airline’s new multi-million dollar; state-of-the art Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight simulation facilities for Sydney.
Announcing the deal today, NSW Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy, Anthony Roberts, said the partnership would also support the State Government’s efforts to develop aviation and allied industries in and around Sydney Airport and at the proposed new Western Sydney airport.
“This deal puts our great State front and centre of the next phase of growth for Qantas following its multi-billion dollar deal to purchase eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (B789s), announced in August last year.
“It also highlights Qantas’s long-term confidence and commitment to keep Sydney and NSW at the heart of the strategic future for the airline’s domestic and international business growth”.
Mr Roberts said Qantas was already a major driver of economic growth and employment in NSW – contributing $4.25 billion directly and indirectly and employing over 24,800 full time employees across the state in 2015-16.
“The new flight training facility will train hundreds of Qantas pilots in the coming years.
“The strategic partnership will also seek to strengthen Qantas’ links with local aviation-related businesses, including specific advice on business to business opportunities in and around the Mascot based Boeing 787 simulator and around the Badgerys Creek precinct at the proposed Western Sydney airport.
Mr Roberts said the partnership builds on the Government’s recent three-year, $28 million partnership with the airline to drive tourism growth, announced by Minister for Tourism, Stuart Ayres. That announcement was the highest value tourism partnership between an airline and any State Government in Australia.
“Our work with the national carrier confirms this Government’s commitment to support tourism and air services and the many industries and thousands of jobs supported by this sector here in NSW,” Mr Roberts said.
