An Australian Senate committee report published in February 2026 criticised Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith) for the planned April 2026 closure of three QantasLink (QLK) regional crew bases.

The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee recommended the airline financially compensate "doubly disrupted" staff. This group comprises workers displaced multiple times after previous regional base closures or those who moved under a 2024 Qantas relocation programme after being assured bases would remain open.

The inquiry formally advised the carrier to collaborate with the Transport Workers' Union (TWU), the Flight Attendants' Association of Australia (FAAA), and the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) to provide adequate compensation for these workers.

The closures at Canberra, Hobart International, and Mildura will affect 71 personnel. The Mildura base will lose five pilots and three cabin crew, the Hobart base 17 pilots and 15 cabin crew, and the Canberra base 16 pilots and 15 cabin crew.

Qantas said the centralisation of operating bases at Melbourne Airport, Sydney Kingsford Smith, and Brisbane International was a reliability measure linked to its fleet renewal programme. The airline claimed it could avoid 38% of crew-related cancellations for its incoming A220-300 jets if it places reserve crews in major hubs. Former QantasLink chief executive Rachel Yangoyan told the inquiry the consolidation will save an estimated AUD3 million Australian dollars (USD2.1 million) annually, which the carrier said it will reinvest into support packages.

The FAAA negotiated support packages that include an AUD36,400 (USD26,000) relocation payment or an AUD700 (USD500) fortnightly commuting allowance. The TWU noted Qantas refused to offer redundancy packages for pilots.

The committee framed the base closures within the context of a record AUD90 million (USD63.7 million) federal court fine the company received for unlawfully terminating ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responding to ch-aviation's request for comment, a Qantas spokesperson said the company continues to work with the committee as part of the ongoing inquiry into the challenges of regional aviation in Australia. "All team members in these bases were offered roles in other locations, which most have taken up. We put in place a comprehensive support package for impacted team members because we know the decision to close the crew bases has been difficult for our people."

"This support package is well beyond any requirements as part of their agreement and enables them to commute for work, like many other team members already do. Wherever possible, we have worked with impacted team members to tailor the support packages around their individual circumstances," the spokesperson added.