Queensland Airline Holdings Pty Ltd, a newly-formed aviation services company based in Brisbane, today concluded the purchase of the former Flight West Airlines.
The 100 existing staff of the former Flight West have been reappointed, with the potential for more jobs as the predicted growth of the business takes place during the next 18 months.
The new entity formally took control of the company from the administrators Ferrier Hodgson, nine months after the former airline was placed in members voluntary liquidation.
The company will be restructured under a new name and with a change of aircraft livery, to be unveiled later this month.
The majority of fresh capital for QAH has been provided by experienced aviation identities Mr Stephen Bond and Mr Hugh Jones.
Mr Bond is well known in the Australian aviation community for his purchase of Lloyd Helicopters, his subsequent involvement in related companies and his current interests in major helicopter operator Bond Air Services, and European regional airline Logan Air.
Mr Jones is the majority shareholder in Airwork, which has facilities in New Zealand and Australia, and operates a significant number of helicopters, and aircraft including Boeing 737s on charter and air cargo operations.
Other members of the new group include aviation services company Aeromil, providing support services, and Mr Scott McMillan, who has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the new company.
Mr McMillan has more than 20 years experience in the Australian and Pacific aviation industries, including senior roles with Flight West, Ansett Australia and
Ansett Australia Cargo. He brings to the new group significant experience in the development of commercial jet operations and heavy maintenance opportunities.
Mr McMillan said the new company would provide a broad range of aviation services, specifically contract and ad-hoc air charter services, heavy maintenance of aircraft and some scheduled air transport services.
“Our ability to conclude this purchase today and to launch Australia’s newest air services company is due largely to the significant efforts of former Flight West staff,” said Mr McMillan. “In very difficult circumstances not of their own making, this group of people worked tirelessly – many in their own time – to ensure that the company continued to operate during the period following the airline’s collapse, and the subsequent failure of its major commercial partner,
Ansett.”
QAH has acquired two Fokker F100 aircraft from Capital Finance Australia, who were major secured creditors of Flight West (Airline Facilities), and who are now providing financial and other support to the group and the new owners.
Initially, the company intends to operate 91-seat Fokker 100s and 30-seat Embraer Brasilia turboprop airliners on long-term contract, wet lease and charter air services. The considerable expertise in the company’s maintenance division will be used to support these operations and to provide third party support services for commercial aircraft owned by other operators.
Agreement has been reached with Air Niugini, the national carrier of Papua New Guinea, to maintain and refurbish two Fokker F28 twinjets recently purchased from the former Flight West fleet. Previously, Air Niugini used a third party maintenance provider in Malaysia.
QAH has also secured long term contracts with the resources companies Western Mining Corporation and Pasminco Century Mine Limited to operate regular Fokker 100 charter flights between Townsville and mining sites in north west Queensland. These mining charters played an integral role in the former Flight West’s operations during the past four years, and will now continue to feature in plans for the future.
Mr McMillan said the new company’s fleet, and its considerable expertise in the operation and support of commercial jet aircraft, would be offered to other major Australian airlines for wet lease and charter opportunities. The development of limited scheduled flights is currently being discussed with other parties, who have expressed interest in forming a commercial alliance with the former Flight West.
