Aviation development in North Queensland is set to get off the ground, with an increase in demand globally for training, services and maintenance.
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Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland said it was talking to industry stakeholders to identify business opportunities to grow the aviation industry in the north.
RDA Chief Executive Officer Glenys Schuntner said RDA had released a discussion paper ahead of workshops with key representatives next month.
"The 'Aviation Industry Development workshops will commence the process of exploring aviation opportunities in our RDA region," Ms Schuntner said.
These workshops will be held in Townsville, Mount Isa and online in early December.
"A Boeing report has forecasted a significant demand for aviation services across the world - 790,000 new pilots and 754,000 new technicians would be needed over the next 20 years," Ms Schuntner said.
"So it is important we determine now what our aviation sector business and regional development opportunities are in our region."
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The discussion paper said the region's strengths included plentiful airspace and airports, numerous navigation features suitable for training flights and over 320 days a year of clear skies.
RDA Committee member Mary Brown said aviation in rural and regional Queensland was an integral part of the lifeblood of the communities.
"With the world-wide shortage of pilots and aircraft engineers, the aviation industry also has the capacity to provide significant opportunities for the North and North West region to develop their own regional capacities, as well as expand into servicing international demand," Ms Brown said.
"Aviation services in regional areas also provide transport, connectivity, economic benefit, as well as medical and natural disaster support."
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