Longreach Airport Ownership Change
Today marks a milestone in the control and management of Longreach Regional Airport.
Longreach Airport Pty Ltd (LAPL) has acquired a 99 year lease over the airport from Longreach Regional Council (LRC). The lease was acquired for an up-front payment of $2.5 million.
LAPL is a 100% owned subsidiary of Queensland Airports Limited (QAL). QAL is a 100% Australian-owned and Queensland based company.
A condition of the lease is that LAPL assume full responsibility for the costs of developing and operating the airport for the period of the lease.
The lease was granted to QAL after a public tender process conducted by the LRC and the Queensland Government.
“Council initiated this tender process to relieve its ratepayers of the ongoing costs of operating the airport and to secure grants for the upgrade of the airport from the state and federal governments,” LRC CEO Michelle McFadyen said.
The Managing Director of QAL, Dennis Chant, said the completion of the upgrade works, the commissioning of the new facilities and the commencement of the lease were the culmination of six years of work by three levels of government and the private section.
“QAL is proud to have been able to assist LRC in the planning, design and development of the new airport facilities and in managing the smooth transition into the new terminal and the introduction of the complex passenger and baggage screening process.
“We now look forward to a long partnership with the Longreach and region communities to grow the airport for the benefit of the regional economy.
“QAL would like to acknowledge the support it has received from the LRC councilors and staff to bring this day to reality.
“This support together with that of state and federal agencies, airlines and airport stakeholders has been essential in achieving such wonderful outcomes with limited resources,” Mr Chant said.
QAL owns and operates the Gold Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa Airports. It is a regional airport specialist which supports regional areas through the operation and development of its airports.
As part of their portfolio of aviation support businesses, QAL also owns the Northern Australian Aerospace Centre of Excellence (NAACEX) in Townsville, AVIEX an aircraft engineering company based in Townsville, and Aviation Ground Handling (AGH) which has a significant presence at Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast Airports.
Media enquiries:
Melissa Pearce
Queensland Airports Limited
Communications Manager
Ph: 07 5589 1196
Mb: 0408 606 802
Michelle McFadyen
Longreach Regional Council
Chief Executive Officer
Ph: 07 4858 4101
Mb: 0408 782 230
