Media release – Virgin Australia Cargo, 9 February 2023
Virgin Australia Cargo partners with Launceston Airport to lease new $4 million cargo facility
Virgin Australia Cargo has affirmed its commitment to Tasmanian trade, entering an agreement with Launceston Airport to lease its brand-new $4 million air-freight cargo facility once completed, which is expected in September this year.
Construction will begin on the facility this month, positioned at the heart of Tasmania’s primary northern aviation gateway and operated by Virgin Australia Cargo through its long-time cargo partner, Aus Flight Handling.
Virgin Australia Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Alistair Hartley said the facility would grow its cargo operations while helping to realise the increasing trade opportunities for the local economy and Tasmanian businesses.
“We are delighted to partner with Launceston Airport to expand our cargo operations and welcome the support of the Tasmanian Government to develop a stronger trade industry in the state over the next decade.
“The upgraded facility is expected to see nearly half a million kilograms of premium Tasmanian exports, including its world-class seafood and agricultural products, through its doors and into domestic and international markets each year,” Mr Hartley said.
“We are also excited to be working with our long-term partner Aus Flight Handling to ramp up cargo efficiency from northern Tasmania, unlocking economic benefits for the entire state.”
Launceston Airport CEO Shane O’Hare said the upgrade will modernise the 800-square-metre facility and positions Virgin Australia Cargo to meet the ever-increasing demand for cargo.
“As an island state, it’s critical that our producers can ship to customers. This new cargo facility will enhance Virgin Australia Cargo’s ability to export goods in a timely manner so that customers around Australia and the world can enjoy fresh Tasmanian seafood and produce on their own dinner tables,” he said.
“Virgin Australia Cargo is an important partner of ours. As well as delivering cargo, Virgin Australia has significantly invested in network growth over the past 18 months, including increasing flight frequency and starting new services to destinations such as Perth and Adelaide. All of this is good news for northern Tasmanians.
“We are also grateful for the investment the Tasmanian Government is making in northern Tasmania, which underpins its confidence in Launceston Airport as an important infrastructure hub that is supporting growth in our region,” Mr O’Hare said.
Media release – Michael Ferguson, Treasurer, 9 February 2023
Launceston Airport cargo expansion good for business
The Rockliff Liberal Government is getting things done and building Tasmania’s future by delivering the infrastructure our growing State needs for today and beyond.
The start of construction on the new Virgin Australia cargo facility at Launceston Airport promises to provide a major boost to local Tasmanian businesses needing to airfreight their products to market.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said the Rockliff Liberal Government is investing $1.6 million to support the redevelopment due to the benefits it will provide Tasmanian producers.
“Air freight links are critical to the Tasmanian economy, supporting freight supply chains for time-sensitive freight, including our valuable seafood and horticulture sectors,” Mr Ferguson said.
“This investment is a vote of confidence in our export markets, will support more efficient management of the current freight and provide capacity for future growth.
“The upgraded facility will allow for more time critical cargo each year, mainly seafood and perishable goods, and the current hangar operation just won’t be able to cope with the extra volume we are seeing.
“It is clear than when our industries and economy grow that the infrastructure to support them needs to grow as well and it is timely that this new cargo facility will be an integral part of the larger overall airport upgrade project.
“If everything goes to plan we expect to be seeing the quality Tasmanian produce that the world wants moving through this new facility and on to off-shore markets later this year, he said.
This project is part of the $5.15 million Rockliff Liberal Government commitment to the Launceston Airport upgrade and to building capacity through our northern Tasmanian gateway.
