News

SYDNEY / August 26, 2020 - Hawker Pacific announces it has recently been awarded a new Defence Science Technology (DST) Defence Experimentation Airborne Platform (DEAP) contract, valid until 2025. DEAP, a specifically modified Beech 1900C aircraft, is Australia’s only dedicated Defence Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) airborne experimental platform. Hawker Pacific is responsible for delivery of its design engineering and certification, maintenance, and flight operations services.

This contract award extends Hawker Pacific’s maintenance, operation and support services to DST between 2012 – 2020. During this time, Hawker Pacific supported the DEAP Program with over 25,000 hours in design engineering and certifications for over a dozen ISR configurations in support of R&D trials and operational tasks.

DEAP undertakes innovative scientific experimentation and operational test and evaluation in advanced airborne sensing and sensor systems. It is a key enabling capability for Australia’s Defence and National Security and was recently displayed during Australia’s catastrophic bushfires for Operation Bushfire Assist 19/20. DEAP monitored and reported on fire activity and conducted damage assessments for State and Federal Government agencies.

SYDNEY / July 09, 2020 – Hawker Pacific, a Jet Aviation Company, successfully delivers its fourth and final special mission Beechcraft King Air 350 to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). The new multi-engine KA350 aircraft will begin service with a focus on new aircrew training. Accepting the aircraft on behalf of the New Zealand Government was the Hon. Ron Mark, Minister of Defence.

Under a 10-year agreement with the NZDF, Hawker Pacific is responsible for acquisition, modification and delivery of four multi-functioned mission focused King Air 350 (KA350) aircraft. It is also charged with delivering transport and training systems through real in-flight and virtual methods, and supporting these with a ground base training system, including engineering and logistics support, for use by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) at Base Ohakea. An acceptance ceremony for the fourth and final KA350 delivery was held today at the Ohakea Air Force base with New Zealand’s Minster of Defence, the Honourable Ron Mark, presiding.

Building on the NZDF interim Advanced Pilot Training Capability that served its former Beechcraft King Air 200 fleet, this new aircrew training capability provides airborne and ground training systems for multi-engine pilot training while concurrently training and graduating air warfare officers for the first time in New Zealand in more than two decades.

SYDNEY / June 4, 2020 – Jet Aviation is pleased to announce its Hawker Pacific Bankstown Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility has expanded its CASA 145 approval with the addition of Bell 429 Helicopters. The company’s Bankstown operation is an authorized Bell Customer Service Facility (CSF).

As an authorized Bell Customer Service Facility (CSF) for 15 years, Hawker Pacific Bankstown has supported multiple Bell aircraft (e.g. 505, 407, 412 and 429) under its previous CASA Part 30 approval with line and base maintenance over the years, including modifications, avionics upgrades, CR & O and complete refurbishments. In addition, the company supports various fixed wing aircraft such as Beechcraft and Dassault Falcon Jets.

CASA Part 145 Maintenance approval is an enhanced regulatory standard that includes a Safety Management System (SMS) focus on safety performance and training that aligns with international standards.

May 7, 2020, Dubai –– RBI Hawker Ltd announces today they are expanding their world class Helicopter Rotor Blade Repair operation into Australia. The company will operate out of a 1000 square meter facility in north Brisbane. It expects to be operational by the end of Q2 2020.

RBI Hawker is expanding its maintenance capabilities into Australia with its world-class helicopter rotor blade repair operation, scheduled to open in mid-2020. Currently operating out of the Middle East, RBI Hawker services the needs of both commercial and military helicopter operators in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

Since commencing operations in 2005, RBI Hawker has continued to expand its approvals across the entire range of Bell helicopters, also adding Leonardo AW139 and A109/119 models to its capabilities. It is an authorized Bell CSF and Leonardo Service Centre, offering the widest array of OEM-approved expanded repairs. With these extensive capabilities and OEM support, helicopter owners and operators can benefit from better serviceability, quicker turn times, and easier track & balance, all of which adds to savings in maintenance and operating costs.

SYDNEY / April 21, 2020 - Jet Aviation is pleased to announce it has received International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) Stage 1 Registration for all six of its FBOs in Australia. The entire Australian FBO network intends to achieve IS-BAH Stage 2 Registration by March 2022. 

In recognition of its high safety standards, Jet Aviation Australia was recently awarded IS-BAH Stage 1 Registration for all six (6) of its national FBO ports, including Sydney, two in Brisbane, Darwin, Cairns and Perth. The IS-BAH safety management system establishes criteria to ensure handling systems, processes and practices meet rigorous safety, security and professionalism standards.

“At a time when safety has never been more important or emphasized on a global scale, we are delighted to demonstrate our commitment to the highest safety standards for our customers and employees,” says Andy Gahan, General Manager FBO Operations, Australia.

Dubai / April 9, 2020 – RBI Hawker recently received OEM approval for successfully completing the industry’s first leading edge abrasion strip replacement on the Leonardo AW139 main rotor blade at its facility in Dubai. The company is the only OEM authorized repair facility outside of Leonardo themselves to offer this critical repair.

RBI Hawker supports Leonardo customers across the complete range of A109/119 series and the AW139 helicopters. With this new capability, the company expands its service offering in Dubai to include replacement of leading edge abrasion strips on Leonardo AW139 main rotor blades.

“This industry milestone has several years of strategic planning behind it and speaks volumes for the RBI Hawker team’s skill, commitment and dedication,” says Mike Conomos, General Manager of Operations, RBI Hawker Dubai. “I could not be prouder of the team for their collective efforts.”

The new Auxiliary Aural Alerter System alerts pilots with an aural warning as they approach an exceedance and is complementary to the Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC) engine diagnostic systems. Hawker Pacific in Cairns is the only repair organization in the world outside the P&WC facilities that is approved to support P&WC’s diagnostics products (DPHM).

Hawker Pacific Cairns has worked closely with P&WC to gain international approvals for retrofitting aircraft with P&WC products, with the “on aircraft” engineering development and trial installations completed in Cairns. During the development process, Hawker Pacific gained expertise in the product resulting in the team travelling internationally to install the P&WC systems on aircraft in countries such as India, Indonesia, Nepal, Japan and China.

“I am proud that Hawker Pacific continues to invest in its Cairns MRO facility, further improving its strong track record of supporting job growth and manufacturing in regional Queensland, while bolstering its important relationship with P&WC,” said Jason Burzacott, Vice President MRO Australia.

Cairns, August 30, 2019 - Hawker Pacific and Alliance Airlines announce heavy maintenance for a permanent line of Fokker aircraft is to be supported through Hawker Pacific’s newly extended Cairns facility. Alliance Airlines is the largest operator of Fokker aircraft in the world. Hawker Pacific’s facility in Cairns was expanded in 2018 to meet growing demand for MRO services in Asia Pacific.

Hawker Pacific together with Alliance Airlines will bring a line of Fokker heavy maintenance to Cairns. This announcement comes as aviation industry representatives met recently at a Queensland Government roundtable to explore growth opportunities for Queensland to capture a slice of the significant forecasted growth in the demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service in the Asia Pacific region.

In 2018, with the support of the Queensland Government’s Jobs and Regional Growth Fund, Hawker Pacific expanded its Cairns facility by 50% to enable local maintenance opportunities for operators of turboprop and jet powered commercial aircraft within the Asia Pacific region.

Hawker Pacific launched its ICN Gateway for the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) forthcoming Special Operations Helicopter acquisition project under LAND 2097 Phase 4. This gateway will be used as the primary vehicle for potential suppliers to register expressions of interest (EOI), respond to specific work packages as they are released and support prequalification activities.

Under LAND 2097 Phase 4 the helicopters are to be proven Commercial or Military off the shelf, optimised for operating in dense urban environments, and capable of being rapidly deployed by air transport in ADF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft.

These helicopters will primarily support air assault of small Special Forces teams and should be capable of being rapidly re-configured by fitment of proven, ISR equipment and weapons systems.Craig Purry, Vice President Government Business Asia Pacific, says, “The launch of this gateway will continue to support Hawker Pacific’s commitment to growing Australia’s sovereign Defence Industry capability base”.

This year’s Asian Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (ABACE) is the 8th consecutive show to be hosted at the Shanghai Hawker Pacific facility, a joint venture between Shanghai Airport Authority (SAA) and Hawker Pacific, a Jet Aviation Company. Thousands of business aviation professionals reportedly attend the annual ABACE convention that commences tomorrow in China’s largest city, Shanghai. Managed under the umbrella of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the event is held at Hongqiao International Airport.

“Our ongoing cooperation with NBAA has resulted in a show that has consistently boosted the position of business aviation and helped establish the community as part of the overall aviation industry in the continent,” said Carey Matthews, GM of the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre. “An industry show of this size and magnitude has tremendous platform requirements. Our Shanghai Hawker Pacific facilities include two hangars and an FBO at Hongqiao, and a second FBO and parking area at Pudong, providing enough space and infrastructure for the show to take place in this unique setting.”

Leading up to the show, during construction of the chalets and the aircraft static displays, most of the normal business aviation traffic for Hongqiao is diverted to Pudong international airport (PVG). Matthews contends the second airport that supports business aviation in Shanghai is critical; Pudong permitting regular business jet operators continued access to Shanghai during the show, with Hongqiao offering hangarage next to the exhibition — a convenient setting for the event. Matthews added, “We have dramatically increased the parking capacity at Pudong over the last few years, and we believe this added space at PVG helps operators better maneuver in and out of Shanghai during the event.”

Hawker Pacific is pleased to showcase their growth in diverse capabilities and expertise across civil and military aircraft and supporting missions systems at this year’s Avalon Airshow.

Hawker Pacific Senior Vice President for Government Business Asia Pacific, Craig Purry, says “the range of capabilities we will have on display at this year’s Defence Expo and Air Show reflects growth in the sophistication of our business in recent years, including the ability to design and project manage Special Mission System installations in several aircraft types, as well as new investment to expand Hawker Pacific MRO facilities in Cairns (Qld).”

In association with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), Hawker Pacific will have on display one (of four) King Air 350 aircraft that will shortly enable the commencement of a new era in multi-engine pilot conversion, and including, the provision to the RNZAF of a complete training package to support Air Warfare Officer training.Key technology suppliers to Hawker Pacific also exhibiting at the Air Show include: Marops, CartNav and Collins Aerospace. According to Mr Purry, “successful local and international collaboration pursued with sub-contractors has provided Hawker Pacific with new competencies to deliver high-level national security and defence capabilities within an overall commercial-based airframe that can guarantee affordability, effectiveness and mission success for regional customers.”Together with long standing partner Bell, Hawker Pacific as a proven solutions provider, confirms that it is leading the development of a response to the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) forthcoming Special Operations Helicopter (SOH) acquisition project.Two helicopters - the Bell 407 and Bell 429 - will be on display at Avalon (External Booth EW5) exhibiting to Special Operations practitioners and Defence Department procurement staff the wide range of capability solutions the Hawker Pacific Special Operations Helicopter can offer to satisfy evolving project LAND 2097/4 SOH requirements.Hawker Pacific will also be showcasing the single engine Diamond DA40NG and the twin engine Diamond DA42 (External Booth EW5).

Hawker Pacific internal booths will be located at 3M32 next to the Defence booths in Hall 3 and external booth EW5 directly outside the doors to Hall 3. Hawker Pacific’s capabilities will be on display including civil and military aircraft and supporting missions systems.

Jet Aviation today announced it has formed a new region for Asia-Pacific (APAC) and appointed Joe Reckling SVP Regional Operations APAC, effective immediately. The company also appointed David Best, current VP Business Development, as its new SVP Strategic Global Growth (SGG), effective December 1. Best succeeds Johannes Turzer, who is retiring from this role at the end of January 2019.

To help the company capture the value of Hawker Pacific and pursue interests and ambitions in support of its vision, Jet Aviation has formed a new region in Asia-Pacific (APAC) to which it has appointed Joe Reckling SVP Regional Operations. Reckling joins the leadership team, reporting directly to Jet Aviation President, Rob Smith, and will oversee the company’s business activities throughout the region. The new APAC region has 21 locations and more than 1,100 employees.

Reckling joined Hawker Pacific as CFO in 2008, having held senior financial, commercial and managerial roles with various public companies in the UK and Australia. A Chartered Accountant, he holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Cape Town and is a graduate of the Executive Program for Growing Business at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

21 May 2018, Bankstown, NSW – Hawker Pacific, the leading aviation solutions provider in Asia, Pacific and the Middle East, will launch the new Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter to the public and industry at simultaneous events held across Queensland this week. The wider public will have their first opportunity to see the Bell 505 at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show whilst the helicopter industry will get their reveal at Rotortech 2018.

 “The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is ideal to unveil the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X to the public thanks to its world-renowned reputation for showcasing some of the finest in luxury and technology products. Similarly, as the region’s industry helicopter event, Rotortech 2018 is the perfect platform for the wider helicopter community to see the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X,” said Tony Jones, Executive Vice President – Strategy and Development, Hawker Pacific.

“The introduction of the original and now legendary Jet Ranger by Bell 50 years ago changed the face of the industry. The advanced Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is the long-awaited evolution of the Jet Ranger bringing modern technology, state-of-the-art features and outstanding operating economics to today’s market.

BASEL / May 2, 2018 - Jet Aviation announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Hawker Pacific, a leading provider of Civil MRO, Fleet and FBO Services, and Aircraft Sales across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The transaction is valued at US$250 million. Rob Smith, president of Jet Aviation, said: “We are now in a position to further expand our current portfolio, enter new markets across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, and offer more options and value to our customers worldwide. Bringing together these two well-established brands reinforces our position as one of the world’s leading business aviation service providers.”

As part of this acquisition, Jet Aviation will add 19 locations across Asia Pacific and the Middle East to its global network, including 7 FBOs, 14 MRO facilities and over 400,000 sq ft of hangar space. More than 800 employees will also become a part of Jet Aviation. Jet Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was founded in Switzerland in 1967 and is one of the leading business aviation services companies in the world. More than 4,800 employees cater to client needs from close to 50 facilities throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America and the Caribbean. The company provides maintenance, completions and refurbishment, engineering, FBO and fuel services, along with aircraft management, charter services and personnel services. Jet Aviation's European and U.S. aircraft management and charter divisions jointly operate a fleet of some 300 aircraft.

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Jet Aviation and Hawker Pacific today announced that Jet Aviation has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Hawker Pacific, a leading provider of integrated aviation solutions across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, for US$250 million.

"The acquisition of Hawker Pacific represents a significant step in expanding our footprint, capability and customer offer across Asia Pacific and the Middle East," said Rob Smith, president of Jet Aviation. "Hawker Pacific has a wide range of services including Civil MRO, Fleet Services, FBO Network and Aircraft Sales, enabling Jet Aviation to further expand its current portfolio, enter new markets, and reinforce the company’s position as one of the world’s leading business aviation service providers."

Alan Smith, CEO of Hawker Pacific said "We believe the company’s acquisition by Jet Aviation represents an excellent outcome for Hawker Pacific’s investors, employees and customers. It builds on our strong values and passion for exceeding our customer’s expectations and I, on behalf of the management, am confident that the combination of the two companies will create a clear leader in the aviation space."

Hawker Pacific, Asia and Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Singapore Airshow last week to expand Hawker Pacific’s operations across an extra 16,000m2 (172,223sq. ft) of land in the Seletar Aerospace Park.

This will see Hawker Pacific’s footprint in the Seletar Aerospace Park almost doubled from its current 9,400m2 (101,000 sq. ft.).

Witnessing the ceremony at the Singapore Airshow 2018 were Alan Smith, CEO, Hawker Pacific and, Ng Lang, CEO, JTC. Signatories included Louis Leong, Vice President, Hawker Pacific Asia and, Glory Wee, Director, Aerospace, Marine and Urban Solutions, JTC.

Hawker Pacific achieved several “world firsts” in its support for Embraer Executive Jets

Singapore, 6 February 2018 - Today, at the Singapore Airshow 2018, Hawker Pacific Asia commemorated its 10 years of support for Embraer Executive Jets’ aircraft at a ceremony which was officiated by senior executives from Embraer Executive Jets and Hawker Pacific. 

The Hawker Pacific Singapore Service Centre at the Seletar Aerospace Park has been Embraer Executive Jets’ Authorised Service Centre (ASC) in the Asia Pacific region since 2007 and has provided base and heavy maintenance, and AOG support to owners and  operators of the full range of Embraer Executive Jets aircraft - Phenom 100, Phenom 300, Legacy 500, Legacy 600, Legacy 650 and Lineage 1000. In all, over a hundred Embraer Executive Jets aircraft have been supported by Hawker Pacific over the past decade.

Hawker Pacific looks to Asia and the Middle East for Future Opportunities

Sydney, Australia, 1 February 2018 - Hawker Pacific, the leading aviation solutions provider in Asia, Pacific and the Middle East, have today announced strong growth in their Turn-Key Special Mission contracted programs to military, paramilitary, and civil agency special mission operators.

Celebrating 40 years of operation in 2018, Hawker Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Doug Park, has identified Asia and the Middle East as the two regions showing the greatest potential for this type of cost effective performance-based contract model.

Hawker Pacific’s 33% year on year growth in business aviation and MRO Hawker Pacific lines up top-level business delegation for Asia’s premier aviation show

Seletar Aerospace Park, Singapore, 30 January 2018 - Hawker Pacific, the leading aviation solutions provider in Asia, Pacific and the Middle East, is proud to support the remarkable growth of business aviation in the Asian region with attendance at the Singapore Airshow. Exhibiting at the biennial show since its inception in 2008, Hawker Pacific is proud to be part of the growth in the region.

“For over 40 years, Hawker Pacific has been serving the region from our Singapore base. We will be at the airshow to share our wealth of expertise and experience in MRO, Aircraft Sales, Fleet Services, Special Missions and Spare Parts with new customers and existing partners,’” said Mr. Alan Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Hawker Pacific.

24 January 2018 –Darwin, Australia - Hawker Pacific, the leading aviation solutions provider in Asia, Pacific and the Middle East, is pleased to add to its extensive network of Fixed Base Operations (FBOs) with the opening of Darwin. Set to open in February 2018, the Darwin FBO will be the ninth for Hawker Pacific, whose award-winning facilities encompass the largest network of its kind in Australia and the Asia-Pacific. 

Hawker Pacific Vice President FBO, Graham Owen, says for many years there has been interest in opening a facility in Darwin and the time has finally arrived.

“The growing demand from private and corporate aviation into Darwin as well as our close relationship with a number of large operators in the region, has at this time given us the impetus to open this facility in Darwin,” says Graham.