Fears Cairns Airport Could Come To A Standstill Over Christmas

The Australian Government last month announced support packages for the aviation industry but snubbed hundreds of ground operation workers across Queensland.

The industry is fearing a mass exodus of ground operation workers that aren’t eligible for the $750 weekly payment. 

The industry is warning that without these crucial workers, flights will have to be grounded.

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Australian Aviation Ground Handling Industry Alliance Chair Glenn Rutherford said that the industry desperately needs funding extended to all aviation workers.

“It will inevitably mean a large proportion of our workforce will pursue other more financially secure work in the weeks ahead, after almost 18 months of diminished or no work. It will then take at least six months to recruit more workers when state borders reopen, train them up to government standards, and have them accredited by the government.”

"The aviation industry is substantially depressed due to the COVID restrictions, and consequentially a large percentage of the the skilled workforce is stood down without pay." Mr Rutherford said.

"In the absence of government support, there'll be a severe lack of capability to ensure the planes can fly should those workers not be attained."

Alongside Gold Coast and Brisbane airports, the Far North's operations is one of the busiest within the state.

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