Qantas is set to base a full-time aircraft engineer in Broome to alleviate flight cancellations that are forcing locals to house stranded passengers who cannot find accommodation.
The cancellations are affecting the Western Australian tourism hotspot at the busiest time of the year, as accommodation prices soar and rooms book out months in advance.
Qantas, which has seen a raft of cancellations at Broome International Airport over the past two months, said the disruptions had been driven by "COVID-related staff challenges" and "engineering requirements".
The airline confirmed to the ABC that it had sent a full-time engineer to service flights at the town's airport to tackle technical issues.
"We now have a full-time engineer based in Broome and [are] working to build up our local engineering capabilities to minimise the risk of cancellations," a spokesperson said.
Permanent 'de-manning' behind problems
Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) federal secretary Steve Purvinas said the move followed cuts to permanent staff in the state's north west.
He said two engineers based at Karratha Airport prior to the pandemic were regularly transported to airports around the north-west to service Qantas aircraft.
Mr Purvinas said that changed after the pandemic hit, with the airline pulling a flight engineer out of Karratha Airport who serviced many communities in the Pilbara region.
"This wasn't a one-off COVID event. It was a permanent de-manning of that port," he said.
"The [engineering] problems that have happened in Broome this year are not because someone was sick from COVID.
"Broome hasn't been manned [by a full-time engineer] for 20 years."
He said the airline had now "thrown a QantasLink bloke permanently into Broome, which we think is a better option".
"The steps are positive, but it can't undo the delays that passengers have suffered up until now," Mr Purvinas said.
Residents affected by cancellations
Residents and business operators in Broome were frustrated by the flight cancellations, which they said had left the town to deal with the consequences.
Shire of Broome president Harold Tracey said the "disappointing" situation may have left tourists with a bad feeling after their holiday.
"When you're stuck at an airport waiting to get back home, it doesn't matter where you are," he said.
"It's not going to leave you with the most endearing memory."
Passenger Anthony Hinkley was frustrated by a cancellation two weeks ago but was astounded by the kindness of locals who housed him after Qantas staff could not find accommodation.
"I saw people just turn up at the airport, ladies, gentleman, all sorts of different people, [and say], 'I've got a room. Who would like to come?', and, bang, they would just go," he said.
"So my experience in Broome was: Love the people, loved everything I did up there.
"Would I come again? Yes, but I'll fly with Virgin next time."
Virgin Australia has also cancelled several flights at Broome International Airport.
Delays and cancellations have become the new normal at airports around Australia, which have experienced a surge in flights after COVID-19 restrictions eased, but without enough staff to service them.
Last week Qantas announced it would cut the number of flights in regional WA over the next month to manage the impact of COVID-19 on staffing levels.
