Virgin Australia is planning to open a regional flying school to train Australian and Chinese pilots to combat a shortage of trained airmen
- Virgin Australia is planning to open a regional flight school to train pilots
- The school will be open to Australian and also international students
- The airline is in negotiations with a Chinese company to build the centre
Virgin Australia is planning to open a regional flying school to train Australian and Chinese pilots to combat a shortage of pilots in the industry.
The airline is negotiating with HNA Group, a Chinese company that owns 19 per cent of the airline and currently operates a flight training school in Port Macquarie.
Claims the discussions about the school are being held in secret have prompted calls for a Royal Commission by Australian businessman and pilot Dick Smith.
Virgin Australia is planning to open a regional flying school to train Australian and Chinese pilots to combat a shortage of pilots in the industry
Speaking to 2GB Radio, Mr Smith says that it appears that Virgin is mostly controlled by Chinese interests.
'By the look of it Virgin's pretty well Chinese controlled,' Mr Smith said
'It's just the most unbelievable thing I've ever heard… we need a royal commission into this.'
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The airline was selected by Tamworth Regional Council last year as the successful tenderer to operate the Aviation Centre of Excellence, which includes pilot, maintenance, and operations training.
The school will train pilots from Australia as well as being open to overseas pilots.
Claims the discussions about the school are being held in secret have prompted calls for a Royal Commission by well-known Australian businessman and pilot Dick Smith
Virgin has strongly denied the claims that any negotiations were being held in secret, telling Daily Mail Australia the issue has been 'blown out of proportion.'
'The idea that we are in secret talks is completely untrue… We have been completely transparent in our discussions with the appropriate parties,' a statement from the airline said.
'This facility is designed to educate and train the pilots of tomorrow, it will support Virgin Australia Group's own pilot needs and be open to all nationalities, and will also benefit other airlines around the world.'
The project is currently being investigated by the Foreign Investment Review Board due to the links with the Chinese company.
The project is currently being investigated by the Foreign Investment Review Board due to the links with the Chinese company
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