Amphibious aircraft arrives in Darwin ahead of manufacturing
Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) today achieved a key milestone in its plans to grow a manufacturing footprint in the Territory.
An iconic G-111 amphibious aircraft has arrived in Darwin from Melbourne by truck, heralding the historic start of a brand new aircraft manufacturing industry lifting off in the Northern Territory.
The 13 tonne plane will be housed in a hangar on Bonney Court at the Darwin International Airport, which AAI recently secured through a lease from Airport Development Group.
Amphibious Aerospace Industries will manufacture the Albatross G-111T, making the Territory Australia’s first manufacturer and exporter of the iconic aircraft, which can take off and touch down from land, snow, ice and water.
The Bonney Court hangar will undergo refurbishments over the next 3 months to enable AAI to begin early works ahead of the development of the Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct - Darwin where ongoing production of the G-111T model will take place.
The Albatross G-111 has not been commercially manufactured for 6 decades, and the existing aircraft will be used as the prototype for to manufacture upgraded, CASA approved versions, to be named the G-111T which will be utilised in the key sectors of defence, tourism, border security and search and rescue operations.
Around 300 direct local jobs will be created in AAI when it commences production. This will progressively ramp up through to 2030. This includes increasing long-term and sustainable Aboriginal employment through targeted training and workshops.
The Northern Territory Government has committed up to $10 million through the Local Jobs Fund via staged milestone-based payments to build upgraded versions of the Albatross in Darwin.
Earlier this year, AAI and established Japanese aircraft manufacturer, ShinMaywa signed a memorandum of understanding to co-operate in developing the amphibian aircraft manufacturing hub.
Once established in the Territory, AAI will generate extensive value to the local economy, with the company forecasting annual revenue of over $100 million by the end of the decade.