Australia’s leading aircraft sales and aviation product support company, Hawker Pacific, has today opened a new $9 million cutting-edge service centre in Cairns which will substantially boost its aviation maintenance repair and overhaul capabilities in Far North Queensland.
The facility, opened by The Premier and Treasurer for Queensland, The Hon Peter Beattie, represents the realisation of a plan first developed by Hawker Pacific, with the support of the Queensland Government and the Cairns Port Authority, in 2001.
Hawker Pacific Chief Executive Officer, Alan Smith said the new Cairns facility would deliver a substantial upgrading of aviation capabilities in Far North Queensland.
Mr Smith said key advantages for the Cairns facility were its northern gateway position as well as being headquarters to Hawker Pacific’s subsidiary, Australian Avionics - one of the world’s leading avionics supply and installation companies.
"Combined with our design engineering, special mission modifications and maintenance repair and overhaul skills, this is truly a centre for aviation excellence, providing a comprehensive and unique capabilities package to the aviation community in the region," he said.
“Our ability to provide an integrated avionics and mechanical workshop under the one roof will have wide appeal, not only in northern Australian but also in servicing the needs of a wide range of aviation operators in South-East Asia and the wider Pacific rim.
“The inclusion of an FBO Flight Centre within the complex, to provide dedicated facilities and services to VIP passengers and crew, will be an added attraction," Mr Smith said.
The increased capacity of Hawker Pacific’s Cairns International Airport based centre would be capable of accommodating a wide range of passenger jets up to and including Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s.
As well, the taxiways will enable the facility to provide line maintenance and overnight check support for larger Boeing 767 and Airbus A330 aircraft.
Mr Smith said the new Cairns centre was further evidence of Hawker Pacific’s on-going commitment to the aviation industry in Queensland, with the company continuing to invest in its other facilities located in Townsville, Archerfield and at Brisbane.
"The building of the Cairns centre represents the fulfilment of a partnership with the Queensland Government and the Cairns Port Authority. It is a project that would not have come to fruition without their commitment and assistance," he said.
The development represents a significant investment in the local community by Hawker Pacific that is expected to see an increase in employees to more than 110 and an increase in annual revenues from the centre to well in excess of $20 million a year