Published Tuesday, 01 May, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
QUEENSLAND SCOOPS HONG KONG AVIATION DEAL
HONG KONG: Cathay Pacific Airways has extended a contract with Aviation Australia to train aircraft maintenance crew in Brisbane, Queensland Premier and Minister for Trade Minister Peter Beattie announced today.
Mr Beattie, on the first leg of a three-nation trade and investment mission, announced the new contract during a tour of Cathay Pacific City – the airline’s headquarters.
Mr Beattie said the Hong Kong carrier’s decision to send another batch of 18 aircraft maintenance crew to Aviation Australia later this year was further evidence of Queensland’s leadership in the aviation and aerospace sector.
“Cathay Pacific was the first international airline to choose Brisbane to train its aircraft maintenance students back in 2002, selecting us over Europe,” Mr Beattie said.
“About 200 of the airline’s personnel, including from its sister airline Dragonair, have so far trained at this Queensland Government centre for aviation training excellence – the most advanced in the Asia-Pacific region,” Mr Beattie said.
“As well as being a significant boost for this emerging industry, having the trainees living in Brisbane generates a flow-on to local businesses.”
Since it was established by the State Government in December 2001, Aviation Australia has provided training services to an estimated 17,000 airline and aerospace industry personnel from 25 countries including China, Korea, Thailand, Japan and Indonesia as well as all Australian states and territories.
The aviation industry is a priority Smart State industry targeted for development through the Government’s Queensland Aviation Strategy.
Mr Beattie said while Queensland had only a modest aviation and aerospace industry a few years ago, it today boasted more than 500 companies and over 6000 jobs, with its growth continuing to outpace the rest of the nation.
“Queensland now supports operations for a host of global aerospace companies, including Chapman Avionics, Frequentis, Sikorsky, Smiths Aerospace, Raytheon, Tasman Aviation, Pratt & Whitney and Asia Pacific Aerospace,” said the Premier.
“As a Government, we’ve also worked very hard to attract and encourage major companies to set up shop in the Smart State, including Boeing, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Services company (EADS), Virgin, and Qantas,” he said.
“The 2006-07 Queensland budget provided a further $6.5 million for our new Aviation High School in inner city Brisbane – another big drawcard that cements the Smart State’s leadership in the aviation sector.”
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
1 May 2007
Mr Beattie, on the first leg of a three-nation trade and investment mission, announced the new contract during a tour of Cathay Pacific City – the airline’s headquarters.
Mr Beattie said the Hong Kong carrier’s decision to send another batch of 18 aircraft maintenance crew to Aviation Australia later this year was further evidence of Queensland’s leadership in the aviation and aerospace sector.
“Cathay Pacific was the first international airline to choose Brisbane to train its aircraft maintenance students back in 2002, selecting us over Europe,” Mr Beattie said.
“About 200 of the airline’s personnel, including from its sister airline Dragonair, have so far trained at this Queensland Government centre for aviation training excellence – the most advanced in the Asia-Pacific region,” Mr Beattie said.
“As well as being a significant boost for this emerging industry, having the trainees living in Brisbane generates a flow-on to local businesses.”
Since it was established by the State Government in December 2001, Aviation Australia has provided training services to an estimated 17,000 airline and aerospace industry personnel from 25 countries including China, Korea, Thailand, Japan and Indonesia as well as all Australian states and territories.
The aviation industry is a priority Smart State industry targeted for development through the Government’s Queensland Aviation Strategy.
Mr Beattie said while Queensland had only a modest aviation and aerospace industry a few years ago, it today boasted more than 500 companies and over 6000 jobs, with its growth continuing to outpace the rest of the nation.
“Queensland now supports operations for a host of global aerospace companies, including Chapman Avionics, Frequentis, Sikorsky, Smiths Aerospace, Raytheon, Tasman Aviation, Pratt & Whitney and Asia Pacific Aerospace,” said the Premier.
“As a Government, we’ve also worked very hard to attract and encourage major companies to set up shop in the Smart State, including Boeing, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Services company (EADS), Virgin, and Qantas,” he said.
“The 2006-07 Queensland budget provided a further $6.5 million for our new Aviation High School in inner city Brisbane – another big drawcard that cements the Smart State’s leadership in the aviation sector.”
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
1 May 2007