Qantas Regional Crew Base Changes: What Passengers Need to Know About Flight Delays and Service Disruptions in Australia

Published on September 18, 2025

Qantas, Australia’s flagship airline, is currently reviewing its regional crew bases in Mildura, Hobart, and Canberra as part of a broader initiative to enhance operational efficiency. While the airline assures that flight operations will not be impacted by this decision, concerns from unions, local communities, and political leaders suggest that the review could have significant consequences for regional passengers. As Qantas explores consolidating these regional bases into larger hubs like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, passengers in these regions may experience changes in flight schedules, delays, and disruptions that could affect their travel plans.

Impact on Regional Communities and Local Connectivity

For many in regional areas like Mildura, Hobart, and Canberra, Qantas is the primary airline providing access to larger cities. The proposed consolidation of crew bases into bigger airports has raised concerns about the future of these essential air links. While Qantas emphasizes the efficiency of having more staff based at major ports, local leaders and residents worry about the potential loss of service reliability in these smaller communities.

Federal Labor MPs and local representatives have voiced strong objections, particularly in Tasmania and Victoria, where regional air travel is vital for both business and leisure. Julie Collins, the Agriculture Minister, and other members have expressed concern that such decisions could affect job security for regional airline workers and harm the local economy. In Hobart, for example, the city has seen an expansion in QantasLink services, and the removal of crew from these bases could significantly impact the community’s access to air travel, particularly for businesses and residents who depend on regular flights.

Operational Considerations and Potential Flight Disruptions

While Qantas insists that flight operations will continue smoothly, the shift of crew bases could introduce potential challenges, especially in regional areas. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has pointed out that moving crew from smaller airports could slow down the airline’s ability to respond to disruptions and service changes, particularly if staff need to be flown in from larger hubs. For passengers, this means there could be an increased likelihood of flight delays, especially during peak times or unforeseen circumstances such as weather disruptions.

The concern is that flight schedules may become less predictable, particularly for travelers who rely on punctual departures and arrivals. For passengers in Mildura or Hobart, the need to bring in crew from larger cities could lead to delays in the event of crew unavailability or operational issues. For those with tight schedules or connecting flights, these delays could create significant disruption, especially if there are no locally based crew members to address issues immediately.

In particular, travelers who use regional flights for quick business trips or same-day returns could find themselves stranded or facing higher costs for last-minute accommodations, especially if delays stretch into the evening. These disruptions could also undermine the trust passengers place in regional travel, especially in areas like Mildura, where air travel options are already limited.

New Routes and Regional Travel Options

In response to the ongoing scrutiny of its regional operations, Qantas has also rolled out several new flight routes, particularly in August and September 2025, aimed at increasing connectivity and addressing demand for regional travel. These new routes are designed to enhance access to and from regional areas, offering more travel options for local passengers.

Perth to Hobart: Also starting September 26, 2025, Qantas will operate three times a week on this route, using the same A319 aircraft. This addition is designed to enhance tourism and business travel between Tasmania and Western Australia, further promoting economic and cultural ties between the two regions.

Hobart to Perth: A new seasonal direct flight service commenced on September 26, 2025, operating three times a week on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays. This route will provide a one-stop connection to Europe via Perth and cater to both business and leisure travelers, especially those in the resources sector. This route is operated with a 150-seat A319 aircraft and is expected to help increase connectivity between Western Australia and Tasmania.

Passenger Concerns: What Does This Mean for You?

For passengers who rely on regional flights from Hobart, Mildura, and Canberra, the ongoing changes may lead to some uncertainty regarding their flight schedules and regional air travel options. Even with Qantas’s assurances that flight operations will remain unaffected in the short term, the consolidation of staff to larger hubs creates a more complex operational system that could lead to delays and longer turnaround times in case of disruptions. For travelers, this uncertainty can make planning travel more difficult, especially for those with tight itineraries.

Additionally, as QantasLink remains the primary operator for regional flights in many areas, the potential for staff shortages or operational delays due to reliance on crew flying in from other cities could further strain passengers’ ability to travel at their convenience. For those who rely on same-day return flights for business purposes or quick access to healthcare or other critical services, these changes could increase the uncertainty around travel and create additional costs.

What Can Passengers Expect Moving Forward?

Qantas has stated that it will support employees who are affected by the review, offering them relocation opportunities to larger hubs in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. However, passengers in regional areas may still face challenges, as crew availability and operational reliability may fluctuate.

With new routes like Hobart to Perth adding more regional connectivity, Qantas is clearly attempting to balance efficiency with the need for expansion. However, the long-term impact of the crew base review on passenger experiences will depend on how Qantas implements these changes and whether they can mitigate the potential risks of delays and flight disruptions. As these changes unfold, it will be important for regional passengers to stay informed about any updates to flight schedules and potential impacts on service.

Conclusion: What Does This Mean for Regional Passengers?

The ongoing review of Qantas’s regional crew bases in Mildura, Hobart, and Canberra presents both challenges and opportunities for the airline and its passengers. While Qantas aims to improve operational efficiency and service reliability, regional communities face uncertainty over potential service disruptions and the loss of local employment opportunities. As the airline navigates these changes, passengers in affected regions may experience delays and scheduling challenges, especially when crew members are moved from smaller airports to larger hubs.

In the face of these changes, it remains to be seen how Qantas will balance efficiency with the needs of its regional passengers. For now, travelers in Mildura, Hobart, and Canberra will need to stay vigilant about potential disruptions and stay informed about updates to the airline’s regional flight schedules.