Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Facility
Learn about Alliance Aviation's transformative project with NAIF funding, enhancing Rockhampton's aviation landscape.
August 2021
Transport & Logistics
Rockhampton, QLD
NAIF’s loan will help develop the Alliance Airlines Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Facility at Rockhampton Airport in Queensland.
About Alliance Airlines
Alliance Airlines, an ASX-listed transport company, is a leading provider of wholesale aviation services in Australasia.
The company offers predominantly contract, charter and allied aviation and maintenance services to the mining, energy, tourism, and government sectors.
The largest contract aviator in Australia, Alliance Airlines has continued to grow since its inception in 2002. It plays an important role in northern Australia, servicing critical sectors and providing local employment.
Project Overview
The construction of a dedicated aircraft and maintenance facility will enable Alliance Airlines to relocate the heavy base maintenance of its aircraft fleet, which since 2015 has been serviced predominantly overseas. The benefits of the project to Alliance Airlines include cost control and operational certainty around long-term aircraft maintenance plans for its expanding fleet.
How We Helped
NAIF’s loan has helped develop the Alliance Airlines Aircraft and Maintenance Facility at Rockhampton Airport in Queensland. This has secured local employment and has allowed the business to relocate the heavy base maintenance of its fleet onshore, this service had predominantly been conducted overseas.
Public Impact
The project is forecast to deliver a broad range of significant benefits to Rockhampton and Central Queensland. The present value of the economic impact to gross regional product (GRP) in the Rockhampton region during the construction and operations phases is estimated to be $342 million over 30 years.
The facility is also expected to help diversify Central Queensland’s employment base and bring engineering and skilled aviation jobs to the region. The project is forecast to create at least 100 jobs during construction, and 98 jobs when fully operational.
Related Links
Indigenous Commitments
7% (apprenticeships and operational)
7% (construction)
Indigenous Outcomes
14.9% (during construction)
Indigenous Engagement
- The Darumbal people
The Darumbal people are the Traditional Owners of Rockhampton, where the project is located. The lands of the Darumbal people extend towards Shoalwater Bay in the north, the Fitzroy River to the West, to the coast towards Keppel Bay in the East, and towards Bajool and Marmor in the South.
Their lands include major localities and communities in Central Queensland including Rockhampton and Gracemere in the south, Yeppoon and Emu Park on the coast to the East, and the town of Marlborough in the north. In July 2016, the Darumbal people’s Native Title claim was determined and recognised by the Federal Court.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Commitments
- Alliance Airlines’ Indigenous Engagement Strategy (IES) includes commitments in key areas such as participation, procurement, employment and overarching commitments.
- Alliance Airlines has set a target of achieving 7% Indigenous employment through apprenticeships and operational positions, as well as a 7% Indigenous procurement target during the project's construction phase.
- Alliance Airlines has established commitments which involve collaborating with CQUniversity and TAFE QLD to develop an apprenticeship program specifically designed to train Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers in Rockhampton. They are actively engaging with Indigenous businesses and promoting Indigenous employment opportunities through a partnership with the Central Queensland Indigenous Business Consortium.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Outcomes
- As of June 2023, some key outcomes delivered by Alliance’s IES to date include exceeding Indigenous employment targets during project construction (14.9% Indigenous employment recorded in February 2023).
- During the construction phase of the project, a number of contracts were provided to local Rockhampton based Indigenous businesses during the construction of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Facility.
