Boeing Defence Australia has celebrated reaching 250 employees in South Australia, showcasing the team’s rapid growth and capability, at an event attended by state Premier Steven Marshall and Boeing Australia president, Brendan Nelson.

It comes after rival Rex was awarded the contract for Central Route 1, which connects the regional towns of Roma and Charleville to the state’s capital of Brisbane, after snagging the contract away from Qantas.

Qantas is set to reinstate direct services from Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport to Sydney from 14 February, after a nearly two-year hiatus of the route, as it ramps up its operations throughout Queensland.

While some staff from the department were reportedly subject to non-disclosure agreements, others have now spoken out about their experiences, with one staff member stating they felt “defeated and stressed” during their time at the company.