Airport Aerospace Precinct lands Machjet maintenance
Machjet Pty Ltd, a fixed-wing subsidiary of Sunshine Coast company McDermott Aviation, is to consolidate and headquarter its fixed-wing aircraft maintenance operations at Sunshine Coast Airport.
Machjet Pty Ltd, a fixed-wing subsidiary of Sunshine Coast company McDermott Aviation, is to consolidate and headquarter its fixed-wing aircraft maintenance operations at Sunshine Coast Airport.
The move by Machjet will create new high-value, high-tech jobs at the airport, and means Machjet will become the first business to occupy premises within the Sunshine Coast Airport’s new Aerospace Precinct.
Machjet provides passenger and cargo services throughout Australia and the South Pacific, operating four Beechcraft B200C Super Kingairs and a Cessna Citation jet.
“This is wonderful news,” Mayor Mark Jamieson said.
“We welcome Machjet as part of developing the airport as a major aviation economic and employment hub for the region.”
Mayor Jamieson said council has strong support from the State Government in assisting with streamlining approvals for the development “and we look forward to working with the state to provide further opportunities for the Sunshine Coast region as the precinct grows”.
“This development will result in an additional 16.5 full time equivalent aviation positions providing an additional $1.82 million in direct wages to the region annually and is estimated to have a flow on effect to the economy of $5.5 million,” he said.
McDermott Aviation operations manager Simon McDermott said the move represented another stage in the development of the company, allowing maintenance for the fleet that was previously outsourced around the country now able to be consolidated at Sunshine Coast Airport.
“We look forward to having the new facility up and running to allow for the expansion of Machjet fixed-wing operations which have undergone a five-fold increase in the last three years,” Mr McDermott said.
Council’s Economic Development/Aviation portfolio councillor Stephen Robinson said he was very pleased to welcome Machjet as the first tenant to the new aerospace precinct.
“Machjet will provide additional depth to the aviation industry we are pleased to be able to provide room for businesses to grow through the new Aerospace precinct,” he said.
“The Aerospace Precinct was designed to accommodate aircraft up to B737/A320 size and with Stage 1 due for completion in a few weeks, having our first new business announced is a great outcome.
“We are serious about becoming a significant player in regional aviation and we are looking forward to promoting the Aerospace Precinct to industry at the upcoming Regional Aviation Australia conference to be held here on the Sunshine Coast in October,” Cr Robinson said.
It is anticipated that hangar construction will commence in December this year.