New figures released by Qantas show that the national carrier contributed more than $5 billion to the economy in regional Australia in FY17 and supported more than 40,000 jobs.

According to a Deloitte Access Economics study, the Qantas Group’s contribution to regional Australia last financial year included:

More than $800 million in direct contributions through value added from the regional operations of the Qantas Group and more than $700 million in indirect contributions to suppliers in regional Australia, including industries such as transport support services, professional services and retail.
More than 1,000 direct jobs including pilots and cabin crew, and almost 5,000 jobs supported indirectly through the supply chain, such as travel agents and airport support staff.
Facilitated almost $4 billion in tourism spending in regional Australia, supporting an additional 36,000 jobs.
$450 million spent with more than 1,200 suppliers based in regional Australia.
The Qantas Group has also today announced the next step in the process to select the location for its new Pilot Academy, providing new opportunities to drive economic activity and support jobs when it opens in regional Australia in 2019.

QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the carrier was proud to play a role in supporting regional communities and encouraging travellers to discover more of Australia.

“Qantas was founded in outback Queensland almost one hundred years ago, and since then we’ve been partnering with small and big businesses right across regional Australia,” Mr Gissing said.

“Each year we work with over 1,200 suppliers from around the country – for everything from sourcing fresh barramundi on the north coast of Western Australia, beef from country New South Wales or having our aircraft painted by a family-owned business in Townsville.

“We encourage travellers in our own backyard and around the world to spend more time exploring our extensive regional network and drive the tourism that is so vital to the local economies of towns and regional areas.”

This report follows figures released recently showing that the Qantas Group had a combined $22.3 billion impact on the total Australian economy last financial year, with a direct and indirect economic impact equating to 0.7 per cent of Australian GDP.

The Qantas Group network services 48 regional centres across 73 regional routes, seamlessly connecting remote and regional Australia to its national and global networks.

Click here to read the Qantas Group regional economic impact report for FY16/17 and here to see the fact sheet. Click here to view the video released today which showcases the Qantas Group regional network, customers and suppliers. Customers can visit qantas.com/regionalaustralia for travel inspiration.