Connecting Queensland

Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) has been operating key regional airports in Queensland for more than 11 years.

QAL is a 100 per cent Australian-owned, Queensland-based company.

Through its decentralised structure, with localised management at each of its regional locations, QAL ensures that its airports integrate seamlessly with the communities they serve.

QAL Managing Director Dennis Chant attributed the Group's success to a simple but strong operating philosophy.

"We are really committed to the local areas where our businesses operate.
                                                                                                                                                                                                      "We are focused on sustainable growth, both within our business and for the local community," Mr Chant said.

"We work in partnership with local stakeholders to continuously improve air transport services to the destinations serviced by our airports.

"As a significant employer in regional Queensland we strive to respect local cultures, conserve natural resources and minimise the impact of our operations while working with industry and government to grow the region."

Over the past 11 years QAL has grown from a single to a multi-airport operator and today owns and operates Gold Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa Airports.

QAL also owns the Northern Australian Aerospace Centre of Excellence (NAACEX) in Townsville, and Aviation Ground Handling (AGH), which has a significant presence at Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast Airports.

"We have certainly developed a strong group of businesses under the QAL banner over the past decade both in airports but also in aviation industry support activities," Mr Chant said.

"While we are currently negotiating potential operation of Longreach Airport on behalf of their local Council, and provide technical assistance to the consortium that has acquired long-term leases of Cairns and Mackay, now is really the time for us to consolidate our operations and look to continued growth and success in regional Queensland," Mr Chant said.

QAL snapshot

Gold Coast Airport
As the gateway to Australia's favourite holiday playground, Gold Coast Airport is the largest in the QAL group, servicing more than 4.3 million passengers each year. Gold Coast Airport is the sixth busiest airport in Australia. It is also a leader in low-cost airport facilities and operations and is currently undergoing a $100-million redevelopment, due for completion in early 2010. The airport's facilities, services and partnership approach are the foundations of its success to date. Gold Coast Airport was awarded the 2007 Low Cost Airport of the Year by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) and won the top accolade at the 2008 OAG (Official Airline Guide) Routes Airport Marketing Awards.

Townsville Airport
Townsville Airport is the gateway to North Queensland with more than 1.5 million passengers passing through the airport annually. The region has a strong business focus but is increasingly building its profile as a leisure destination as the local tourism product continues to expand. Home to the Royal Australian Air Force and Army bases for North Queensland, James Cook University and the port, Townsville is a major hub for people and freight moving to and from north-west Queensland. QAL acquired Townsville Airport in March 2005 and has invested in significant infrastructure to help grow this vital regional airport.

Mount Isa Airport
Located at the heart of one of the world's most significant multi-mineral deposits, Mount Isa is the mining capital of North Queensland. Mount Isa Airport is the major gateway to north-west Queensland and the only airport with jet services in the wider mining province which is a major source of the world's lead, zinc, silver and copper. With more than 197,000 passengers annually, Mount Isa Airport services the huge mining sector and welcomes a growing number of leisure travellers to the Outback each year.

Northern Australian Aerospace Centre of Excellence (NAACEX)
NAACEX, Australia's newest aviation business park, is a high-security, fully serviced Aerospace Precinct and Business Park located at Townsville Airport. QAL commenced the NAACEX project in 2007 with a goal to open a dedicated aircraft maintenance facility to accommodate a variety of aviation-related businesses. Over 17 hectares of airport land is being developed into a unique aero-hub, housing a cluster of aerospace and support industries that will service both commercial and defence clients.
When fully developed, NAACEX will be significant on a national and international scale. The creation of a cluster of aerospace and supply industries has already begun with leading organisations BAE Systems and Worland Aviation currently housed in four state-of-the-art hangars.

Aviation Ground Handling (AGH)
AGH is a leading aircraft ground handling company operating in Australia with local operations at Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville Airports. The impressive safety record of AGH is testament to the focus on continual improvement the experienced management team has adopted. AGH is a full service ground handling company and supplies passenger, cargo and military aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region.