Common User Hangar

Aviation Maintenance Training Centre of Excellence and Hangar
General Aviation

Cairns’ General Aviation Precinct is a major contributor to the regional economy, and is home to more than 100 businesses including major maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) businesses, education and aeronautical skills training providers, freight consolidation services, tourism operators, and rescue and charter flights.

Cairns Aviation Skills Centre and CQUniversity produce highly skilled aircraft engineers and pilots who are then employed in well paid jobs in the local economy. These organisations are already delivering on some of the aspirations outlined in the recently released Aviation White Paper – Towards 2050. Together, they have the potential to deliver so much more with targeted support. The key themes are:

·  Address industry demand
·  Enhance safety
·  Support workforce development
·  Promote innovation
·  Connecting regional Australia
·  Regenerating general aviation

Far North Queensland’s MRO sector is vital to the region’s connectivity, servicing fixed wing and rotary aircraft that ply the Cape, Torres Strait, Papua New Guinea and the wider Asia-Pacific. These services ensure emergency and humanitarian aid as well as FIFO flights and provide critical connectivity to areas where it matters most.

The General Aviation sector is the backbone of the broader aviation industry, providing Australia with the skills, innovation and expertise required to grow the industry and train the next generation of aviation professionals[i]. There is a significant shortage of key aviation workers, including pilots, flight instructors, aircraft maintenance engineers and engineer instructors, directly preventing the aviation industry from growing to meet demand, and creating additional pressure on the existing workforce. This trend is set to continue with increased demand forecast throughout the industry, resulting in international competition for skills, and further exacerbating the already disproportionate impact workforce shortages have on both regional areas and general aviation across Australia.

An investment of $50m is required to develop a state-of-the-art Aviation Maintenance Training Facility to ensure the required training can be undertaken to support a skilled workforce into the future for the aviation industry and drive growth in Australian aviation at a time of critical workforce shortage and the increasing strategic importance of the North.

Benefits to the region

Workforce development: address industry shortages through skilled and non-skilled job creation, attraction and retention; increase employee diversity, new career pathways, apprenticeships and program offerings in regional Australia.
• Expand regional training facilities: establish a leading training facility known for excellence and innovation, ensuring FNQ is at the forefront of aviation and maritime technology, strategic readiness and capacity building.
• Enhanced safety and resilience: improved maintenance practices, contributing to higher safety standards; supports disaster resilience.
• Economic growth and impact: support 100 jobs during construction; increased operational efficiency; deliver long-term benefits to the local community by offering study, training and work opportunities in Cairns; attract investment across the general aviation sector maximising commercial uptake alongside Cairns Airport’s initial $40m investment in the new Eastern Aviation Precinct.

Recommendation

$50m to deliver a state-of-the-art Aviation Maintenance Training Facility within the Cairns Airport Eastern Aviation Precinct. The Facility would encompass a 10,000m² hangar which is to be operated under a common user model incorporating Cairns Aviation Skills Centre as the proponent, with ownership of the Facility to revert to the state.

Overview

Through the establishment of a state-of-the-art Aviation Maintenance Training Facility, Cairns could cement itself as the premier location in North Queensland for aeronautical skills training and as a key base for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

The General Aviation sector is the backbone of the broader aviation industry, providing Australia with the skills, innovation and expertise required to grow the industry and train the next generation of aviation professionals[i]. There is a significant shortage of key aviation workers, including pilots, flight instructors, aircraft maintenance engineers and engineer instructors, directly preventing the aviation industry from growing to meet demand, and creating additional pressure on the existing workforce. This trend is set to continue with increased demand forecast throughout the industry, resulting in international competition for skills, and further exacerbating the already disproportionate impact workforce shortages have on both regional areas and general aviation across Australia.

With the vision for the future of Australia’s aviation workforce to be diverse, highly skilled and responsive, Cairns is already positioned to provide clear pathways for training for both pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers. Situated at the airport and aligned closely to industry, the Cairns Aviation Skills Centre and CQUniversity can support the growth of under-represented populations within Australia’s aviation sector – First Nations people, women and students from non-English speaking backgrounds – by providing relevant training and support required to meet increased demand through the establishment of an Aviation Maintenance Training Facility.

The Aviation Maintenance Training Facility would bridge the current and projected shortage of skilled aviation engineers and pilots through increased comprehensive and contemporary training that meets industry standards and prepares graduates for immediate employment, particularly with the co-location of a new fit-for-purpose common use hangar. This proposed state-of-the-art Facilit would provide capacity for three mid-sized jet aircraft (Boeing 737 or Airbus A320) to be maintained simultaneously.

This additional capacity would also provide Far North Queensland with the opportunity to capitalise on the significant demand for regional jet maintenance with about half of the fleet currently maintained overseas. Although regional jets can access cheaper international maintenance providers, airlines with high asset utilisation prefer to have jets maintained domestically to reduce downtime. As the only regional airport in Australia with international capacity to attract new customers, Cairns possesses two highly capable MRO operators currently working at capacity, but willing and able to expand if maintenance infrastructure were available. As a direct result of the constrained infrastructure, an estimated $15m in business was lost to the region in the past 12 months alone. These MRO operators do not have the resources to individually invest in the large structures required to make a step-change in the size and type of aircraft that they maintain.

In response to the growing demand for aircraft MRO, aviation maintenance professionals and the need to enhance safety and operational efficiency in the aviation industry, government support is sought to deliver a state-of-the-art Aviation Maintenance Training Facility. This facility will serve as a hub for technical education and hands-on training, equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge required to excel in aviation maintenance roles.

Facility Features

Training aircraft and equipment: real-world aircraft and advanced maintenance equipment for hands-on training, supported by industry for industry.

Classrooms and simulation labs: modern classrooms and simulation labs equipped with the latest technology to provide theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Workshops and technical labs: dedicated spaces for practical exercises and technical skills development including a world-leading Composite Centre of Excellence which not only supports aviation but also maritime industries.

Instructor offices and administrative areas: facilities for faculty and administrative functions, ensuring smooth operations and support for students.

Safety and compliance areas: designed to meet industry safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Work on Cairns Airport’s new Eastern Aviation Precinct is underway with the Airport investing an initial $40m to deliver new aircraft stands and enabling infrastructure. The new Eastern Aviation Precinct is the ideal location for the Aviation Maintenance Training Facility that can meet required demand, keep business in the region and attract new highly skilled jobs to Far North Queensland. 

Importantly, this facility would also underpin the stated strategic importance of northern Australia to the nation’s interests as laid out in the Australian Government’s Defence Strategic Review. This would see that the region’s aviation infrastructure is sufficiently robust and scalable. Regional investment to deliver improved infrastructure at Cairns Airport would result in increased support for Defence into the future and can support rapid deployment and resupply in times of need – a regional focus area highlighted within the FNQ Regional Infrastructure Plan[ii].

A state government investment of $50m (50:50) is sought to support the infrastructure development of this critical project.

[i] Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Aviation White Paper – Towards 2050 (Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2024).

[ii] State of Queensland, Department of State Development and Infrastructure, Far North Queensland Infrastructure Plan. 2024.

Last updated: October 2024

The General Aviation sector is the backbone of the broader aviation industry, providing Australia with the skills, innovation and expertise required to grow the industry and train the next generation of aviation professionals[i]. There is a significant shortage of key aviation workers, including pilots, flight instructors, aircraft maintenance engineers and engineer instructors, directly preventing the aviation industry from growing to meet demand, and creating additional pressure on the existing workforce. This trend is set to continue with increased demand forecast throughout the industry, resulting in international competition for skills, and further exacerbating the already disproportionate impact workforce shortages have on both regional areas and general aviation across Australia.

An investment of $50m is required to develop a state-of-the-art Aviation Maintenance Training Facility to ensure the required training can be undertaken to support a skilled workforce into the future for the aviation industry and drive growth in Australian aviation at a time of critical workforce shortage and the increasing strategic importance of the North.

Benefits to the region

Workforce development: address industry shortages through skilled and non-skilled job creation, attraction and retention; increase employee diversity, new career pathways, apprenticeships and program offerings in regional Australia.
• Expand regional training facilities: establish a leading training facility known for excellence and innovation, ensuring FNQ is at the forefront of aviation and maritime technology, strategic readiness and capacity building.
• Enhanced safety and resilience: improved maintenance practices, contributing to higher safety standards; supports disaster resilience.
• Economic growth and impact: support 100 jobs during construction; increased operational efficiency; deliver long-term benefits to the local community by offering study, training and work opportunities in Cairns; attract investment across the general aviation sector maximising commercial uptake alongside Cairns Airport’s initial $40m investment in the new Eastern Aviation Precinct.

Recommendation

$50m to deliver a state-of-the-art Aviation Maintenance Training Facility within the Cairns Airport Eastern Aviation Precinct. The Facility would encompass a 10,000m² hangar which is to be operated under a common user model incorporating Cairns Aviation Skills Centre as the proponent, with ownership of the Facility to revert to the state.

Overview

Through the establishment of a state-of-the-art Aviation Maintenance Training Facility, Cairns could cement itself as the premier location in North Queensland for aeronautical skills training and as a key base for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

The General Aviation sector is the backbone of the broader aviation industry, providing Australia with the skills, innovation and expertise required to grow the industry and train the next generation of aviation professionals[i]. There is a significant shortage of key aviation workers, including pilots, flight instructors, aircraft maintenance engineers and engineer instructors, directly preventing the aviation industry from growing to meet demand, and creating additional pressure on the existing workforce. This trend is set to continue with increased demand forecast throughout the industry, resulting in international competition for skills, and further exacerbating the already disproportionate impact workforce shortages have on both regional areas and general aviation across Australia.

With the vision for the future of Australia’s aviation workforce to be diverse, highly skilled and responsive, Cairns is already positioned to provide clear pathways for training for both pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers. Situated at the airport and aligned closely to industry, the Cairns Aviation Skills Centre and CQUniversity can support the growth of under-represented populations within Australia’s aviation sector – First Nations people, women and students from non-English speaking backgrounds – by providing relevant training and support required to meet increased demand through the establishment of an Aviation Maintenance Training Facility.

The Aviation Maintenance Training Facility would bridge the current and projected shortage of skilled aviation engineers and pilots through increased comprehensive and contemporary training that meets industry standards and prepares graduates for immediate employment, particularly with the co-location of a new fit-for-purpose common use hangar. This proposed state-of-the-art Facility would provide students with direct practical experience whilst enabling current MRO operators to expand operations. The new hangar would provide capacity for three mid-sized jet aircraft (Boeing 737 or Airbus A320) to be maintained simultaneously.

This additional capacity would also provide Far North Queensland with the opportunity to capitalise on the significant demand for regional jet maintenance with about half of the fleet currently maintained overseas. Although regional jets can access cheaper international maintenance providers, airlines with high asset utilisation prefer to have jets maintained domestically to reduce downtime. As the only regional airport in Australia with international capacity to attract new customers, Cairns possesses two highly capable MRO operators currently working at capacity, but willing and able to expand if maintenance infrastructure were available. As a direct result of the constrained infrastructure, an estimated $15m in business was lost to the region in the past 12 months alone. These MRO operators do not have the resources to individually invest in the large structures required to make a step-change in the size and type of aircraft that they maintain.

In response to the growing demand for aircraft MRO, aviation maintenance professionals and the need to enhance safety and operational efficiency in the aviation industry, government support is sought to deliver a state-of-the-art Aviation Maintenance Training Facility. This facility will serve as a hub for technical education and hands-on training, equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge required to excel in aviation maintenance roles.

Facility Features

Training aircraft and equipment: real-world aircraft and advanced maintenance equipment for hands-on training, supported by industry for industry.

Classrooms and simulation labs: modern classrooms and simulation labs equipped with the latest technology to provide theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Workshops and technical labs: dedicated spaces for practical exercises and technical skills development including a world-leading Composite Centre of Excellence which not only supports aviation but also maritime industries.

Instructor offices and administrative areas: facilities for faculty and administrative functions, ensuring smooth operations and support for students.

Safety and compliance areas: designed to meet industry safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Work on Cairns Airport’s new Eastern Aviation Precinct is underway with the Airport investing an initial $40m to deliver new aircraft stands and enabling infrastructure. The new Eastern Aviation Precinct is the ideal location for the Aviation Maintenance Training Facility that can meet required demand, keep business in the region and attract new highly skilled jobs to Far North Queensland. 

Importantly, this facility would also underpin the stated strategic importance of northern Australia to the nation’s interests as laid out in the Australian Government’s Defence Strategic Review. This would see that the region’s aviation infrastructure is sufficiently robust and scalable. Regional investment to deliver improved infrastructure at Cairns Airport would result in increased support for Defence into the future and can support rapid deployment and resupply in times of need – a regional focus area highlighted within the FNQ Regional Infrastructure Plan[ii].

A state government investment of $50m (50:50) is sought to support the infrastructure development of this critical project.

[i] Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Aviation White Paper – Towards 2050 (Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2024).

[ii] State of Queensland, Department of State Development and Infrastructure, Far North Queensland Infrastructure Plan. 2024.

Last updated: October 2024

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