The company has been training cadet pilots for China Southern Airlines at Mangalore Airport since 2017.
But the ongoing border closures due to COVID-19 means the flow of new pilots has stopped and the 80 still in training are set to graduate by September.
Deputy head of operations Rod Jouning said the future for the 30 staff in Mangalore was uncertain if an arrangement to get more students was not reached.
“We normally have up to 140 students and if we can’t get more pilots, this part of the business will shut down,” he said.
“We’re keen to see a process put in place to get students in. Creating a sterile corridor, with immunisation, quarantine and testing is a way to do that.
“When the students are here, they make a huge injection into the local economy. They live in rental premises and buy their food and supplies in Seymour.
“We have to urge the government to start investigating things more thoroughly rather than just discounting arrivals into the country.”
Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum met with Mr Jouning and other staff from Moorabbin Aviation Services to discus the issue and possible remedies.
“I had a strong meeting with Moorabbin Aviation Services and made it clear that I would speak to the foreign affairs minister and the minister for aviation,” he said.
“Having the students coming in is a significant earner for the business and their highly regarded and credentialed program is sought after.
“The plan the team at Mangalore have proposed is doable and should create nil risk to the Australian population.
“I’ll be taking it to the ministers as a project the Chinese government is keen to see continue and one that could help with the frosty relationship that currently exists between China and Australia.”
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