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The future of Tasmanian helicopter firm Rotor-Lift Aviation is under a cloud, with its valuable Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) having been listed for sale.
Rotor-Lift, which last year lost a lucrative Tasmanian emergency medical services (EMS) contract to StarFlight, put its AOC up for sale late last year, with the page indicating expressions of interest were due by Christmas Day. It is as yet unknown if there has been any interest.
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On Rotor-Lift’s website, the sale is described as “a rare opportunity to acquire one of Australia’s most experienced and fully compliant aviation businesses, providing an immediate entry point into both the rotary-wing and fixed-wing markets under current CASA regulations”.
“Rotor-Lift Aviation’s dual AOCs and associated infrastructure offer a turn-key platform for entry or expansion in the Australian aviation market – particularly for operators seeking immediate CASA-approved capability across both rotary and fixed-wing sectors,” the listing reads.
StarFlight, which wrested the $354 million contract from Rotor-Lift last year, has recruited former Rotor-Lift staff as pilots, air crew officers, and aircraft maintenance engineers.
“We’re very pleased that so many Rotor-Lift staff have chosen to join us as we prepare to launch our aeromedical service with state-of-the-art aircraft and highly trained crews across Tasmania,” said StarFlight Tasmania general manager Kriss Lawler earlier this month.
“It was part of our strategy from the start to retain as many highly experienced Tasmanians as possible because that institutional knowledge is so important.
“The focus now is on providing first-class care, safety and improved patient outcomes to Tasmanians no matter where they live.”
The decision to award Tasmania’s 12-year contract to StarFlight was condemned by Rotor-Lift at the time, with managing director Allana Corbin saying in August that it had been done without consulting the existing operator.
“This is a devastating day that will spell the end of Rotor-Lift, put 37 Tasmanian jobs at risk, increase uncertainty for a core service and put the budget under unnecessary pressure,” she said.
“We are a family here, and come the middle of January, we will cease to exist. All that intensive training and experience Rotor-Lift has invested in is basically being picked up and handed to somebody else, and that’s pretty hard to take.”
Rotor-Lift also provides services including aerial mapping and surveying, helicopter tours, and flight training courses. The company declined to comment.
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