The damning report from the inquiry into the shuttering of the three bases, which is slated for April this year despite outcry from staff and elected officials, concluded that Qantas had not done enough to consult with stakeholders on the closures or provide adequate support to those affected.

Australia’s second-largest airline group wrested the triple crown away from the Flying Kangaroo in January, according to the latest BITRE data, beating Qantas in on-time arrivals, on-time departures, and completion rates, again cancelling fewer than one in 100 flights last month.

The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) has excoriated Experience Co and its subsidiary Skydive Australia, which the union says has applied to the government to hire 37 cheaper overseas workers while axing its local training program. The company says it is not looking to replace local workers.

The airline, which specialises in FIFO, charter and wet-leasing operations, still expects a full-year profit of between $35 and $40 million before tax, and plans to gradually phase out its Fokker 70 and 100 fleet. It comes after the airline appeared to be revisiting its contract with QantasLink.