Support company’s growth strategy targets Queensland

Australian sales and product support company Hawker Pacific has expanded its fixed-base operations (FBO) to Queensland with new facilities at airports in Brisbane and Cairns as part of its growth strategy for business aviation ground handling.
Expansion of the business follows a successful foray into FBOs at Sydney in April 2003 (Flight International, 12-19 April). “From a standing start two years ago, [Sydney Flight Centre] has achieved market leadership, handling around 60% of domestic and at least 50% of inbound traffic,” says Douglas Hendry, general manager FBO and aircraft charter. He claims the facility is now considered by its customers as the best in Australia and one of the best in the Asia-Pacific region.
Last year Hawker Pacific won the contract to handle the Royal Australian Air Force’s VIP squadron. It also handles the majority of head-of-state aircraft that visit Australia and most recently hosted Boeing’s 777-200LR as part of its world tour.
Further expansion of the FBO business is on the cards, with chief executive Alan Smith saying that Hawker Pacific aims to establish similar Flight Centres at key international airports throughout Australia and Asia.
For some time the company has been in discussions with Chinese partners on the possibility of setting up an FBO in China.
Hawker Pacific is also expanding its charter operation. The business currently operates 11 aircraft from five locations and will soon add a Dassault Falcon 2000EX to its Brisbane base.

EMMA KELLY/PERTH

Source: Flight International