After five years of waiting Jetstar’s first 787-8 from Boeing has finally landed at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday. The flight came from the US with Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce and Jetstar boss Jayne Hrdlicka on board.
The state-of-the-art aircraft brings with it jobs and investments for the Victorian economy.
“The introduction of Jetstar’s Dreamliner fleet is part of a $100 million investment that will create new, highly skilled aviation jobs and deliver significant benefits to the Victorian economy,” Premier Denis Napthine said, quoted in a media release.
“The Victorian Coalition Government welcomes the commitment from Qantas and Jetstar for their Victorian operations and customers.”
According to the release the Jetstar Boeing 787 training and maintenance base at Tullamarine Airport will create up to 100 new jobs in Victoria’s aviation industry. The 787 is a highly-advanced commercial jet that uses composite materials, fuel efficient engines and light-weight materials, making it lighter, stronger and more efficient for air travel. Passengers will also enjoy more comfortable and quieter flights.
Boeing Aerostructures Australia which is based in Port Melbourne makes carbon-fibre parts for the wings. The components are precision-manufactured and are flown to the United States for assembly to the Dreamliner.
“Every Dreamliner around the world takes flight thanks to Victorian engineering capability,” said Dr. Napthine.
Minister responsible for the Aviation Industry Gordon Rich-Phillips was also present to witness the much-awaited arrival of the jet. He said Victoria has evolved to become a major aviation hub and also has Australia’s largest concentration of education and training facilities.
“The skills and knowledge required to maintain technologically advanced jets is significant, and the Coalition Government is committed to investing in training, skills and capability development to ensure that the needs of the aerospace and aviation sectors are met,” Mr. Rich-Phillips said.
“The Coalition Government recognises the importance of the aviation sector to Victoria’s economic vitality, and is committed to seeing the industry thrive.”
The new Jetstar plane will fly domestic routes from Melbourne to the Gold Coast and Cairns for four weeks, before starting its first commercial international flight to Bali on December 18, according to a report on Sydney Morning Herald.
