Qantas Airways, Australia's largest airline, announced plans to open its first dedicated cabin crew base in Singapore starting from September. The new facility aims to enhance the airline's operational efficiency within its expanding international network, which currently includes non-stop flights to Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, and Darwin from Singapore. The base is expected to initially recruit 120 crew members, with an expansion goal to reach 650 over five years. Some staff will be transferred from Jetstar Airways' Singapore operations, which is reportedly closing its Singapore base to streamline the low-cost carrier's operations.
The Singapore cabin crew will operate flights between Singapore and various Australian cities, offering competitive salaries and employment opportunities for locals and permanent residents. Singapore serves as Qantas's third-largest international hub, serving as a vital gateway connecting Europe and Asia-Pacific regions via Changi Airport. The move is part of Qantas's strategic effort to respond to increased international travel demand and to provide more flexible and efficient service options for its customers.
Cam Wallace, Qantas International CEO, emphasized that this new crew base would allow the airline to better respond to flight disruptions and support network growth. Currently, the airline operates approximately 50 weekly flights to its key Australian hubs from Singapore, reinforcing the importance of the Singapore operation within its international strategy.
