Alliance Airlines to open new base in Cairns

Alliance Airlines will open a full operations base in Cairns from May, 2010, doubling its current flights and creating a new strategic operating hub for services throughout Northern Australia and to key regional international destinations.

Announcing the decision in today, the airline’s Managing Director, Mr Scott McMillan, said his company would base two Fokker 100 jets at Cairns Airport, supported by an engineering and spares facility, administrative office and crew base.

Mr McMillan said that from 3rd May, Brisbane-based Alliance would increase its Cairns flights from the current five departures per week to 10, and would actively explore further growth opportunities.

Initially, up to 20 employees, including 14 flight crew and three engineers, will be located at the new Cairns base.  

The decision to open the new base reflects the confidence Alliance has in the many business opportunities that will emerge from the resources industry in North Queensland and Papua New Guinea.

Alliance Airlines is a specialist operator of contract air services, specialising in fly in–fly out operations for the resources sector.

The company currently operates a fleet of 11 Fokker 100 jets and six Fokker 50 turboprop aircraft from bases in Brisbane, Townsville, Adelaide and Perth.