Domestic Flights in Australia

Air North

AIRNORTH REGIONAL  is the major airline of the Northern Territory. It operates in conjunction with the Alice Springs and Katherine based Skyport Group of companies. The companies commenced their respective business operations in the early 1970's. Between them they operate over 40 aircraft, including airline standard turbo-props.

AIRNORTH is the major regional aviation operator in the Northern Territory with fixed bases in:

  • Darwin
  • Katherine
  • Tennant Creek
  • Alice Springs
  • Borroloola
  • Hooker Creek
  • Maningrida
  • Elcho Island
  • Port Keats

AIRNORTH's Business Profile
  • established 1972
  • over 40 aircraft, including 19 and 30 seat prop-jets
  • self-sufficient engineering facilities
  • maintenance and flight operations conducted to class "A" standards
  • scheduled flights to over 115 Northern Territory destinations each week
  • Ansett Australia's MERLIN computer reservation systems.

AIRNORTH's range of services include:
  • Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) throughout the Northern Territory
  • Ad Hoc Charter & Term Contracts
  • Medical Evacuation
  • Air Freight, Mail Runs and Newspaper Contracts
  • Scenic Flights and Air Safaris
  • Ground Services to Other Operators

AIRNORTH's History
  • 1973: Roger Leach commenced business as "Leach Aero Services" engineering workshop, and then established "Central Australian Helicopters" with the introduction of the first helicopter in the region to be used for cattle mustering. Expansion continued into jet/turbine helicopters, using machines such as the Hughes 500D, Bell Jetrangers and Longrangers on assignments Australia-wide.
  • 1978: AIRNORTH was established in Darwin, developing into a major provider of charter and scheduled services throughout the Top End and into Indonesia. It became a subsidiary of the publicly - listed Henry Walker Group of Companies.
  • 1985: "Skyport" was formed to operate fixed wing charter operations and the group's expanding tourist activities. This year saw the takeover of "Ayers Rock Air Services". Skyport initiated "Scenic Safaris" to Ayers Rock via Palm Valley, Kings Canyon and Lake Amadeus. The group also installed the first helicopter at the Rock, under agreement with the Mutujulu Council and began operating the Central Australian and Barkley Tableland Outback mail runs.
  • 1988: Skyport took over the operations of "Chartair" in Alice Springs and Yulara, leading to its position as the major general aviation operator in Central Australia.
  • 1991: Skyport was awarded the sole operating rights to the "Centre Run" following a tender submission to the Northern Territory Government. A thirty seat Shorts SD330 operated on Timor Sea freight and personnel transfers. RPT schedules were expanded with deregulation. Acquired also in that year was the extensive operation of "Airnorth Katherine"
  • 1993: The Darwin based operations of "Airnorth Regional" were taken over from Henry and Walker Ltd., and the Directors set about developing the enterprise as an integrated NT wide operation.
  • 1994: "Airnorth Central Australia" was added as a trading name to further secure a single airline identity. This year also saw the introduction of the Fairchild Metroliner Turboprop aircraft on major RPT routes, and the establishment of a dedicated maintenance facility in Darwin.
  • 1996-98: Major activity in Timor Sea oil and gas exploration brings Airnorth contracts with companies such as Shell Development, Santos, Woodside, BHP Minerals,   BHP Petroleum and Cultus Oil. (Companies whose main operating criteria are safety and reliability). Ansett Australia ask Airnorth to take over an airline service to Gove, and regular charter flights ex Darwin to Eastern Indonesia and Irian Jaya established. Thirty seat Embraer Brasilia 120 and 15 seat Cessna Grand Caravan are imported and introduced into service. Airnorth contracts to handle Merparti Boeing 737 turnarounds and oil exploration company passenger handling through Darwin terminal facilities.
  • 1998- onwards: Airnorth will continue to maintain high levels of passenger and freight services, and aircraft maintenance standards. We have an ongoing commitment to further growth in order to maintain our position as the major supplier of aviation services in the Northern Territory.

Tourism Activities

Airnorth has a strong background in tourism and an extensive network of local and inbound operators, agents and wholesalers:

  • Central Australia
    Skyport Group conducts charter services and air safaris to Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon, and operates mail runs and regular services to remote cattle stations and outback communities of the "Red Centre".

  • Katherine & Barkley Regions
    RPT Services through Katherine and Tennant Creek cater to tourist traffic to the region. Scenic flights and day "safaris" on regional scheduled flights, and mail runs to outlying Gulf and Kimberly communities, are available.

  • Top End
    Apart from charters for all and any size tour group, Airnorth's scheduled services afford the opportunity to visit the Tiwi Islands and Arnhemland communities for a range of fishing, sight-seeing and cultural activities.

We are dedicated to providing safe, comfortable, fast and economic air services. We aim to improve our standards of service constantly. We have not had a major incident in 27 years of aviation.

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