Nelson promotes comprehensive MRO capability

The new Nelson Aviation Cluster on New Zealand’s centrally located Nelson Airport has been designed as a one-stop shop for aviation repair and maintenance, in support of larger aircraft as well as helicopters and general aviation fixed wing aircraft.

The aim is to pool the marketing of the resources of the various MRO businesses in the cluster to ensure that access to those resources is maximised for aircraft owners and operators.

The Air Nelson Engineering  facility, which is being considerably extended to more than double its original size, already provides engineering and maintenance support for Q300 regional turboprops and will have
Q400 support capability into the future.

The airport, which is the fourth busiest in New Zealand, is also the headquarters for Helicopters New Zealand, Major international helicopter operators, who are agents for AgustaWestland, providing it with a substantial rotary wing profile and servicing centre. Helipro are expanding to commence operations at Nelson next month and new players in the market, Anatoki Helicopters and Endurance Fishing are also Kaye McNabb, CEO of the airport says that, “We are currently looking at building a block of five additional hangars to handle the growth that we anticipate over the next couple of years, but of course the current economic climate means that such investments have to be approached with some caution. Nonetheless, with the increasing interest we are experiencing it is likely the first stage will be completed within the next 12 months.

“The Aviation Cluster was is already up and working well and we have high hopes for the future of that, given that it means all aspects of servicing and refurbishment can be carried out here.

“We’ve also got restricted Point of Entry certification, so we can arrange customs etc for unscheduled aircraft with 15 POB or less.

“And of course this is a prime tourism area, the wine and arts centre of New Zealand and the sunshine capital, so we can offer a great deal while you are waiting for your aircraft to be serviced.”