TWL now in aviation

 ONE of Papua New Guinea’s largest transportation and logistics companies Trans Wonderland Limited (TWL) has ventured into the air transport industry in Australia.

The Lae-based Hela landowner company has acquired a controlling interest of 51% in Advance Aviation Group Pty Ltd (AAG), which has bases in Emerald, Mackay and Brisbane in Queensland.

Managing director Larry Andagali revealed this week the venture signalled the start of TWL’s aviation business, which was part of its long-term plans to become a fully integrated transportation and logistics group of companies.

“Who would have thought that a landowner company in Papua New Guinea would launch its aviation wing in the outback of Australia? 

“TWL has now realised two-thirds of its dream in line with our motto – get the basics right, live the dream,” he told The National.

Andagali, now chairman of AAG and PNG Power Ltd board, said the acquisition provided TWL with a niche aviation market that would add significant value to the group’s assets and operations in PNG and Australia.

He said AAG was founded in the heart of the Bowen, Sarat and Galilee Basins, Queensland’s largest coal and gas region, which is booming with mining and exploration activities. 

“AAG occupies a unique market position, providing specialised air charter services to a diverse field of customers. 

“We offer services that are built on strong relationships, safety, reliability and efficiency,” Andagali said.

He said AAG also had a fully operational maintenance hangar with skilled engineers available to repair various types of aircraft at short notice. 

“Many farmers in the outback who own small aircraft that are used for spraying pesticides come to us for maintenance and repairs,” he said. 

Andagali said AAG had a current workforce of 15, including pilots, engineers and ground staff and operated a fleet of six aircraft – Beechcraft Kingair, Piper Chieftain, Piper Navajo, Cessna 210, Beechcraft Baron and Caravan.

The company provided these services:

• Fly in/fly out operations; 
• Ad-hoc charter – individual catered flights to various specialised destinations; 
• Executive charter; 
• International charter – as far as Papua New Guinea, Singapore and the Pacific, Samoa, Fiji; 
• Freight uplifting; 
• Survey and mapping; 
• Repair and maintenance of aircraft; and 
• Ground handling

Andagali said AAG’s client services were fully booked in Australia but it was considering a proposal to extend flying doctor services to PNG.

He said the proposal involved the use of two fully-kitted Beechcraft Kingair aircrafts, which would be based in Port Moresby and Cairns to provide maximum area coverage.

Andagali also said AAG had enhanced its aerial survey and mapping capabilities with the recent purchase of a Caravan aircraft, which was specially-fitted with the revolutionary Microsoft UltraCam Eagle camera for 3-D imaging. 

The aircraft and camera cost a total of K10 million.

Andagali said the aircraft was currently on hire to one its major clients Whelans Aerial Surveying of Western Australia, which specialised in aerial mapping.