A love for Aviation in Zambia to an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in Australia
I grew up in Zambia and when I was in Year 5, I visited an airport for the first time, I saw my first plane and I didn't want to go home! The little town I grew up in had a small airport, which had one plane that would come in every Wednesday.
Every Wednesday after that I would skip school and walk for around 4 hours to be there for that plane coming in. Then I'd stay there watching the plane until it took off and walk home again. I would watch the passengers coming and going and just the aircraft itself, trying to figure out how it all worked.
My dad was in Australia and knew how passionate I was about aviation, so he helped me to migrate after I finished school. We flew from Harare to Canberra, including on a Qantas plane, and I told my dad, "One day I'll work for this company".
Then in 2010, I started an apprenticeship with Qantas and have been an aircraft maintenance engineer since 2013. It's an amazing career. I work in the Qantas Hangar in Brisbane, and we receive aircraft for different checks: It could be an A check, which is just overnight, or a C check, which is bigger and takes longer. When the aircraft comes in, we get access, inspect everything, rectify any issues, put it all back together and it's on its way.
It's not just a job. I love the responsibility; I love knowing that you're looking after the passengers, and I love my workmates. They're like my family in Australia. Honestly, I wake up in the morning and can't wait for my alarm to go off so I can go to work.
Killion Banda
Qantas Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Brisbane
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Lacus dolor cras sed.
Latest Posts
        
    Teaser
Qantas FreightContent Type
PostsPublish date
11/03/2025
Summary
Starting out My Qantas story began when I was 19 and studying Business Management at UTS, majoring in Tourism. I’ve always been fascinated by aviation and dreamed of working in the in
            
            by
Lilliah Grills
        
    Teaser
Customer Service StoriesContent Type
PostsPublish date
10/01/2025
Summary
Joining the Flying Kangaroo Before joining Qantas, I had spent more than ten years in the aviation industry. Qantas was always my ultimate goal because the Flying Kangaroo represents more
        
    Teaser
Corporate StoriesContent Type
PostsPublish date
10/01/2025
Summary
What first brought you to Qantas, and how did your career journey unfold? I’ve always wanted to work for Qantas. As a child, I flew between Australia and the UK as an unaccompanied minor,
        
    Teaser
Pilot StoriesContent Type
PostsPublish date
09/30/2025
Summary
What first brought you to Qantas, and how did your career journey unfold? My journey began in a glider over Blanchetown, South Australia, at age 16. From that moment, I knew I was destine
        
    Teaser
Cabin Crew StoriesContent Type
PostsPublish date
08/21/2025
Summary
From Dream to Career Working in customer service has always been my passion. Before joining Network Aviation (NAA), I managed a busy restaurant on Rottnest Island, but becoming a flight a
        
    Teaser
Corporate StoriesContent Type
PostsPublish date
08/14/2025
Summary
From Loyalty to Customer Care: A Decade at Qantas Starting out I joined Qantas in 2015, beginning in Qantas Loyalty where I supported the Commercial team and Finance. My sister had been
        
    Teaser
Engineering StoriesContent Type
PostsPublish date
08/11/2025
Summary
From Apprentice to Manager: 46 Years in Qantas Engineering Starting out I joined Qantas on 10 January 1979 as a Ground Engineer Electrical/Instrument Apprentice, what’s now called Avioni
        
    Teaser
Customer Service StoriesContent Type
PostsPublish date
08/11/2025
Summary
From Postie to Customer Service Agent: Why I Came Back to Qantas What drew me to the CSA role I first joined the Qantas Group in Melbourne as a Customer Service Officer with Jetstar. Aft
        
    Teaser
Cabin Crew StoriesContent Type
PostsPublish date
08/07/2025
Summary
From Colombia to the red centre: Juan’s journey to QantasLink I started my career in aviation at a young age. Originally from Colombia, I spent more than 11 years working in both corp
        
    Teaser
Engineering StoriesContent Type
PostsPublish date
07/22/2025
Summary
Engineering the Future: Qantas Apprentices Share Their Journey At Qantas, safety is at the heart of everything we do—and our aircraft engineers are the people who make that possible. E
Related roles
Salary
Location
Auckland
Location
Auckland
Entities
Qantas Airways Limited
Type of Employment
Full-time
Brand
Qantas
Job Type
Permanent
Business Function
Human Resources
Description
Drive strategic HR outcomes across the New Zealand and Pacific Islands region Lead cultural transformation, leadership development, and operational excellence Full-time permanent position based in Auc
Reference
2647e607-df0a-4270-af8c-7988bf18659e
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Los Angeles
Location
Los Angeles
Entities
Qantas Airways Limited
Type of Employment
Full-time
Brand
Qantas
Job Type
Permanent
Business Function
Support Functions
Description
Take pride in exceeding expectationsFull-Time Permanent role in Los Angeles, USASalary between $24 - $30 per hourAt Qantas, we never forget to share in the pride of our historyPlease note, applicants
Reference
080753b6-3242-4c21-bacd-f8e0c53ad64e
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Brisbane
Location
Brisbane
Entities
Qantas Airways Limited
Type of Employment
Full-time
Brand
Qantas
Job Type
Permanent
Business Function
Support Functions
Description
Lead the Continuous Improvement portfolio for Brisbane Base MaintenanceChallenge yourself to deliver impactful change across Engineering operationsTogether we’ll optimise performance and enhance safet
Reference
f4ce2429-c7c3-4835-8b28-4bf5cf8c26b5
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Sydney
Location
Sydney
Entities
Qantas Ground Services Pty Limited
Type of Employment
Part-time
Brand
Qantas Group
Job Type
Permanent
Business Function
Operations & Safety
Description
Enjoy the challenge of being physically active and working in and around our aircraft Shift penalties and travel industry discounts Permanent part-time positions available based at Sydney airport At Q
Reference
1f99871a-59ce-4521-a815-b9a47dc128c1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Sydney
Location
Sydney
Entities
Qantas Airways Limited
Type of Employment
Full-time
Brand
Qantas
Job Type
Permanent
Business Function
Information Technology
Description
Join our Airline Technology team and work within a diverse application product portfolio Challenge to innovate and drive change through technology for our customers and our staff Permanent role at ou
Reference
01727bca-539b-4553-a2d4-3f184ae3f4f9
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Sydney
Location
Sydney
Entities
Qantas Airways Limited
Type of Employment
Full-time
Brand
Qantas
Job Type
Permanent
Business Function
Information Technology
Description
Challenge yourself & add significant value to the Qantas GroupAt Qantas our teams come together to create new and unique customer experiencesFull-time Permanent opportunity based at our Mascot CampusA
Reference
aa8f198f-a46e-47cf-b28c-33fb8a0dc9eb
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Adelaide
Location
Adelaide
Entities
Qantas Airways Limited
Type of Employment
Full-time
Brand
Qantas
Job Type
Permanent
Business Function
Engineering & Maintenance
Description
Together we will take ownership and drive outcomesTake pride in leading our Adelaide Ground Support Equipment team Permanent full time position At Qantas, we represent Australia to the world. Our dive
Reference
ba3224a8-a1e9-4af6-ab11-c861e51b8b3d
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Sydney
Location
Sydney
Entities
Qantas Airways Limited
Type of Employment
Full-time
Brand
Qantas
Job Type
Permanent
Business Function
Strategy & Commercial Planning
Description
Challenge yourself to lead a transformation, redefining how Qantas sells and delivers modern airline retailingTogether we'll achieve a bold shift from legacy systems to seamless, personalised experien
Reference
712dc3aa-08d6-4da7-8eeb-dcc45423acd6
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Sydney
Location
Sydney
Entities
Qantas Airways Limited
Type of Employment
Full-time
Brand
Qantas
Job Type
Fixed term
Business Function
Corporate Affairs & Communications
Description
Deliver strategic communications and media support to protect and promote the Qantas brandSupport government relations through research, analysis, and stakeholder engagementPermanent position based at
Reference
acbe99ed-b3f0-46ba-8051-32bbac931a91
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Sydney
Location
Sydney
Entities
Qantas Airways Limited
Type of Employment
Full-time
Brand
Qantas
Job Type
Fixed term
Business Function
Support Functions
Description
Be part of a team that delivers external financial reporting, consolidation and provides support on the application of accounting policies and standardsAt Qantas, our teams come together to create new
Reference
d5f274bf-27a1-4884-a8dd-ae404282177a
Expiry Date
01/01/0001