The Territory Labor Government has confirmed that it will invest $1 million into the Alice Springs Asia Pacific Airport Storage and Maintenance Facility.
The funds have been made available through the Territory Labor Government's $89 million Local Jobs Fund.
The fund was set up last year to accelerate major and significant projects in the NT.
This immediate injection of funds will create 21 direct jobs over the next 12 months and will directly boost the Territory's economy by $5.8 million – with a further flow on effect of $5.2 million.
Since 2014, national and international commercial aircrafts have been stored or serviced at the Alice Springs facility where previously, aircraft storage services were almost exclusively undertaken in the United States.
This investment will see the expansion of the existing Alice Springs facility to increase storage capacity from 20 to 50 aircrafts in response to industry needs and global economic factors resulting in increasing occurrence of assets being grounded.
Airlines, leasing companies and trading companies all utilise aircraft storage services at various points in an aircraft life cycle in order to assist and manage low utilisation, fleet disposals, lease returns, repossessions and post-acquisition transitions.
As stated by Member for Braitling, Dale Wakefield
"Jobs are one of our biggest priorities and this project will deliver 21 direct local jobs in the next year, increasing to 37 jobs predicted over the following three years.
"This is a direct boost to the Territory's economy by $5.8 million – with a flow on effect of $5.2 million.
"We have a bright future in Alice Springs and I will keep fighting hard for major projects and events that will be game changers for our town and benefit our community."
As stated by Member for Namatjira, Chansey Paech
"Alice Springs is geographically and environmentally suitable for the storage and maintenance of aircraft due to its ideal low humidity, arid climate and its proximity to the Asia-Pacific region.
"Expanding our airport storage and maintenance facility will create new jobs and boost the economy. This is great news for Alice Springs and great news for the Territory."
