Aviation and Aerospace - Invest Victoria

Melbourne’s aviation and
aerospace strengths
Since staging Australia’s first controlled powered aircraft flight in 1910, Victoria has
continued to be the leader in aviation and aerospace activity in Australia.
offering stood out in some areas in particular,
receiving the highest score for stability and risk, living
environment and real estate (availability of hangars).
More than 40% of Australia’s civil aviation repair and
overhaul activities take place in Melbourne and, with
two world-class airports on extensive parcels of land,
the city has the capacity to cater to an increasing market
in both heavy and line maintenance activities to meet
the needs of domestic and international operators.
Key MRO players already located in Melbourne
include:
4AVIATION AND AEROSPACE – Melbourne, Australia 2010
One hundred years on from this momentous
achievement, Victoria’s aviation and aerospace sector
has grown to include over 500 businesses as well as
world-class research institutes and education providers.
Home to the largest number of aviation and aerospace
companies in the country, Melbourne has been at the
centre of both aircraft manufacturing and maintenance
in Australia for over half a century. Victoria’s aviation
and aerospace sector exported over $800 million in
products and services in 2008-09.
Melbourne has an established aerospace precinct at
Fisherman’s Bend in Port Melbourne consisting of
manufacturers, design organisations, educational
providers and research facilities, as well a growing
aviation hub at Melbourne Airport.
Also located in Melbourne’s World Trade Centre is
Thales Australia Air Systems, a world-class designer,
manufacturer and exporter of air traffic management
systems.
Established centre for MRO
Situated in one of the world’s most vibrant growth
corridors for aviation, Melbourne is well positioned to
become a major global MRO centre in the Australasian
region. A recent study by IBM Plant Location
International highlights Melbourne’s quality offering
for MRO as among the best in the region. Melbourne’s
John Holland Aviation Services (JHAS): Australia’s
only independent third-party aircraft maintenance
provider, JHAS caters for heavy aircraft types up
to and including wide body aircraft. John Holland
currently services both domestic and international
airlines and provides total maintenance solutions. With
significant in-house capabilities and renowned Original
Equipment Manufacturers (Boeing) and major engine
shop capabilities (Lufthansa Tecknik) located in close
proximity, JHAS provides a cost effective and efficient
turn time to its customers.
Qantas: With extensive maintenance facilities at both
Melbourne and Avalon airports, Qantas caters for
internal and third-party maintenance requirements
out of Melbourne.
Virgin Tech: The Virgin Tech MRO facility located
at Melbourne Airport undertakes scheduled and
non-scheduled maintenance for Virgin Blue’s fleet of
Boeing 737-700/800 and Embraer 170/190 aircraft.
LTQ Engineering: A partnership between Lufthansa
Technik and Qantas, LTQ Engineering is an
independent MRO provider located adjacent to
Melbourne Airport. LTQ specialises in the repair and
overhaul of jet engines and can conduct complete
engine overhauls, modifications and repair activities
with extensive support shop and test cell capability.
Honeywell Aerospace and Rockwell Collins: Together
with a large collection of smaller firms these companies
provide specialist maintenance support services to
general aviation, commercial and military clients.
Melbourne is also home to a comprehensive range of
part suppliers and ground support equipment suppliers
which feed into the Australian airline industry.