Air force trainer aircraft contract won by WA company

9/4/94

A contract to maintain the Royal Australian Air Force's PC9 trainer aircraft has been won by a Western Australian company, Airflite Pty Ltd.

As a result, Airflite will employ 80 staff at Pearce airbase to carry out the contract, which is worth $5 million annually, for the next four years.

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan welcomed the signing of the contract as a boost to the Western Australian economy.

"As well, the skills which will be required to carry out this job will be of longer-term benefit for the State," he said.

"Airflite is to be congratulated for the hard work it has put in to winning this contract."

As well as servicing the PC9s stationed at Pearce, Airflite will also maintain the balance of the RAAF's PC9s at East Sale, in Victoria.  This will involve 30 more staff and an additional $2 million per year.

The contracts won by Airflite, which is based at Jandakot, have an option for a two-year extension depending on performance.

Media contact:  Peter Jackson 222 9595