A loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) will allow Alliance Airlines to create hundreds of new jobs for the maintenance of its fleet.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud, said NAIF’s $30 million loan will help to diversify Central Queensland’s employment base.
“This facility is going to attract engineering and skilled aviation jobs to Central Queensland, as well as training and education pathways to sustain them,” Mr Littleproud said.
“This support to Alliance Airlines is another example of the coalition’s commitment to boost opportunities for regional businesses and create secure jobs into the future.”
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, said that the project is a boom for the regional economy.
“Together with the other redevelopment and upgrades to Rockhampton Airport, we expect that this facility will help Alliance to generate about $342 million over the next 30 years for our region,” Ms Landry said.
“We will see at least 100 jobs created during construction, and the fully operational facility will create 98 ongoing roles which is a capability that currently doesn’t exist here.”
NAIF CEO, Chris Wade, said the investment is part of the Federal Government’s $5 billion facility for infrastructure projects across northern Australia and takes the total amount committed by NAIF to date to more than $3.1 billion, with more than $1.2 billion going to Queensland.
“NAIF has previously provided financing to a range of aviation and airport facilities and we are delighted to support Alliance Airlines and bring more highly-skilled jobs to central Queensland,” Mr Wade said.
The facility will create new businesses and job opportunities in other aviation related services such avionics, aerospace technologies, wheels, tyres, brakes and landing gear, engine maintenance, interiors and upholstery, and cabin accessories suppliers.
Alliance’s final investment decision is expected in October. For further information on available NAIF financing products and arrangements: https://naif.gov.au/.
