GippsAero’s new parent reaffirms commitment to grow business in Australia

India's Mahindra says it will invest more than A$20 million in GippsAero with an initial fund of $2 million.

The announcement today coincided with the return of GippsAero’s GA8-TC Airvan from an historic flight around the globe.

The Airvan was piloted by Australians Ken Evers and Tim Pryse who undertook the mission to raise US$1 million for malaria awareness.

The Airvan, the first Australian-designed and manufactured aircraft to circumnavigate the globe, has flown a total distance of 28,000 nautical miles on the journey.

“Mahindra Aerospace is committed to consolidating and expanding GippsAero’s business in Australia," said Arvind Mehra, executive director and CEO, Mahindra Aerospace.

"The Airvan has already proved its airworthiness and is in great demand amongst buyers in both Australia and overseas.

"Our future plans with GippsAero include producing two new aircraft – a 10-seater and an 18-seater to cater to this growing market.” 

George Morgan, one of the founders of the local company, said that, “We welcome Mahindra’s commitment to GippsAero. We already produce aircraft in the range of two- to twenty-seaters for sale in over 30 countries across the globe and I am sure our association with Mahindra will take the company to even greater heights. We look forward to the beginning of a new chapter in our history.

"We are delighted to be a part of the Mahindra family and share in the company’s vision of evolving into a global aerospace OEM."

"GippsAero’s strong intellectual property and technological innovation combined with Mahindra’s brand name and global reach will ensure that together we become a force to reckon with in the aviation sphere,” said Dr Terry Miles, CEO, Gippsland Aeronautics.