The redevelopment, supported by the Tasmanian and Commonwealth governments and set to open in 2027, would increase capacity for both fixed and rotary aircraft and was an election promise from Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s victorious Liberal government in March this year.

Canada and Malaysia will have unlimited passenger capacity to and from Australia starting in 2026, with an immediate increase to 50,000 weekly seats to Malaysia and 50 weekly flights to Canada.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) told its members to “lock in these gains” after employees were offered a 38 per cent pay rise.

The ABC cited a local real estate agent who said the main 179-room facility used by the Australian Airline Pilot Academy in Wagga Wagga, NSW, had attracted more than 40 enquiries.