AN independent aviation operator working out of Perth has capitalised on the gap left in the market following the collapse of Ansett.
AN independent aviation operator working out of Perth has capitalised on the gap left in the market following the collapse of Ansett.
For Fiona Young, the general manager of Maroomba Airlines, a passion for flying is at the core of the operation.
Ms Young joined the family company as a receptionist and quickly moved into a more senior role.
At just 22 Ms Young runs the business, alongside the maintenance manager and chief executive officer, her father Steve Young.
Mr Young has owned the business for 17 years and, after the recent acquisition of a new jet, he is busy flying clients around the State, leaving Ms Young to look after the business on the ground.
“He flies a lot now since we’ve got a new jet; although he over-sees everything he’s shifted into flying and I run the business, Ms Young said.
“I always loved flying as a young girl. I would like to learn how to fly one day but outside work I play hockey competitively.”
All this makes for a busy schedule, with the demise of Ansett driving greater demand for flights into the north of the State, particularly in the mining sector.
Maroomba Airlines has the contract for the Minister of Premier and Cabinet, a deal that requires two planes for exclusive use by the Government. This is the second time the airline has secured this lucrative contract.
“The effect of the collapse of Ansett has been quite huge,” Ms Young said. “The mining companies were forced into looking at chartering flights.”
Concern about the future of Skywest further strengthened the airline’s position.
“There was an immediate rush for two or three weeks after Ansett stopped flying, Ms Young said. “There were a lot of calls we had to say no to.
“In the past few months there’s been a lot of companies looking for contracts; it might be because of activity in the mining sector.”
Maroomba Airlines secures quite a lot of work at the VIP end of the market, flying mining executives into the north of the State, Ms Young said.
With demand for the airline’s service so strong, she said the company had considered expanding its fleet of six aircraft, including an 18-seat jet.
“We have ideas and my dad looks into jets. There is a market for VIP flying but a few companies would need to fly the jets and there’s not that many that want it,” Ms Young said.
With a price tag of up to $15 million, buying a jet is a serious investment.
Aside from the cost of the aircraft the insurance bills represent another considerable cost impost.
“The aviation industry is amazing,” Ms Young said. “I just like being out at the airport I’ve just got a passion for aircraft.”
For Fiona Young, the general manager of Maroomba Airlines, a passion for flying is at the core of the operation.
Ms Young joined the family company as a receptionist and quickly moved into a more senior role.
At just 22 Ms Young runs the business, alongside the maintenance manager and chief executive officer, her father Steve Young.
Mr Young has owned the business for 17 years and, after the recent acquisition of a new jet, he is busy flying clients around the State, leaving Ms Young to look after the business on the ground.
“He flies a lot now since we’ve got a new jet; although he over-sees everything he’s shifted into flying and I run the business, Ms Young said.
“I always loved flying as a young girl. I would like to learn how to fly one day but outside work I play hockey competitively.”
All this makes for a busy schedule, with the demise of Ansett driving greater demand for flights into the north of the State, particularly in the mining sector.
Maroomba Airlines has the contract for the Minister of Premier and Cabinet, a deal that requires two planes for exclusive use by the Government. This is the second time the airline has secured this lucrative contract.
“The effect of the collapse of Ansett has been quite huge,” Ms Young said. “The mining companies were forced into looking at chartering flights.”
Concern about the future of Skywest further strengthened the airline’s position.
“There was an immediate rush for two or three weeks after Ansett stopped flying, Ms Young said. “There were a lot of calls we had to say no to.
“In the past few months there’s been a lot of companies looking for contracts; it might be because of activity in the mining sector.”
Maroomba Airlines secures quite a lot of work at the VIP end of the market, flying mining executives into the north of the State, Ms Young said.
With demand for the airline’s service so strong, she said the company had considered expanding its fleet of six aircraft, including an 18-seat jet.
“We have ideas and my dad looks into jets. There is a market for VIP flying but a few companies would need to fly the jets and there’s not that many that want it,” Ms Young said.
With a price tag of up to $15 million, buying a jet is a serious investment.
Aside from the cost of the aircraft the insurance bills represent another considerable cost impost.
“The aviation industry is amazing,” Ms Young said. “I just like being out at the airport I’ve just got a passion for aircraft.”