- Aviation Australia receives a donated Boeing 717 from Qantas.
- The aircraft will serve as a real-world classroom for future aircraft engineers to work on and strengthen their skills.
- The training opportunity is one way the Crisafulli Government is securing a pipeline of skilled workers for Queensland's future.
Qantas has donated a retired Boeing 717 aircraft to Aviation Australia, creating a unique training opportunity for students of the Qantas Group Engineering Academy and helping strengthen the pipeline of skilled aviation professionals in Queensland.
Now housed in Aviation Australia's Brisbane airport hangar, the aircraft will serve as a real-world classroom for future aircraft engineers to work on.
Aviation Australia students will gain invaluable hands-on training with the aircraft that has proudly serviced Qantas for more than two decades, helping apprentices going through the Academy become workforce-ready with industry-relevant skills.
Building partnerships like the one between Aviation Australia and Qantas are just another way the Crisafulli Government is delivering on our promise to develop a pipeline of skilled workers to secure Queensland's future.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Ros Bates, said Qantas' generosity provided a major boost to Queensland's aviation training sector.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity for our aircraft maintenance engineering students," Minister Bates said.
"Having direct access to a retired Qantas Boeing 717 means students can train on real aircraft systems, giving them world-class, hands-on experience that prepares them for the workforce.
"This is exactly the kind of industry-led training the Crisafulli Government is proud to support – practical, job-ready, and future-focused.
"After a decade of decline in Queensland's skills training, this is exactly the kind of industry-led training the Crisafulli Government is proud to support – practical, job-ready, and future-focused."
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and Member for Clayfield, Tim Nicholls, said the aviation sector was a crucial cog in the economy of Queensland and the Clayfield electorate.
"I have the pleasure of representing the businesses based at the Brisbane Airport as the Member for Clayfield and many of my constituents work in the aviation sector," Minister Nicholls said.
"Hendra's Aviation High may be the starting point for students interested in a career in aviation, before progressing on to training with Aviation Australia, and the hands-on training on this Boeing 717 will add considerable value to their employment prospects."
The Qantas Group Engineering Academy was established in partnership with Aviation Australia to help train the next generation of aircraft engineers and meet the increasing demand for a highly skilled aviation workforce.
Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said the donated Boeing 717 will play an important role in delivering practical learning under the Academy.
"It's wonderful to see the final Qantas Boeing 717 now in the hangar, ready to train future engineers through hands-on learning," Mr Svensson said.
"This fleet served Australians for more than 20 years, so it's only fitting it will now play a role in training the next generation of engineers. We're proud to be investing not just in new aircraft, but in the next generation of engineers who will help keep them flying safely."
Aviation Australia CEO, Glenn Ryan AM said with demand for skilled aviation engineers growing globally, the partnership with Qantas would ensure Aviation Australia remains at the forefront of aviation training.
"We thank our colleagues Qantas for this very generous gift," said Mr Ryan.
"This awesome 717 will inspire our students and play a vital role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry practice, delivering real workforce solutions that benefit our students and aviation communities worldwide."
