• Virgin Australia Cargo has entered an agreement with Launceston Airport to lease its new $4 million air-freight cargo facility for a term of 10 years once the facility is completed.
• The facility will be operated by Aus Flight Handling.
• The upgraded facility is expected to see nearly half a million kilograms of premium Tasmanian exports reach domestic and international markets annually.
• Construction will commence this month and is scheduled for completion in September 2023.

Thursday 9 February 2023: Virgin Australia Cargo has affirmed its commitment to Tasmanian trade, entering an agreement with Launceston Airport to lease its brand-new $4 million air-freight cargo facility once completed, which is expected in September this year.

Construction will begin on the facility this month, positioned at the heart of Tasmania’s primary northern aviation gateway and operated by Virgin Australia Cargo through its long-time cargo partner, Aus Flight Handling.

Virgin Australia Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Alistair Hartley said the facility would grow its cargo operations while helping to realise the increasing trade opportunities for the local economy and Tasmanian businesses.

“We are delighted to partner with Launceston Airport to expand our cargo operations and welcome the support of the Tasmanian Government to develop a stronger trade industry in the state over the next decade.

“The upgraded facility is expected to see nearly half a million kilograms of premium Tasmanian exports, including its world-class seafood and agricultural products, through its doors and into domestic and international markets each year,” Mr Hartley said.

“We are also excited to be working with our long-term partner Aus Flight Handling to ramp up cargo efficiency from Northern Tasmania, unlocking economic benefits for the entire state.”

Launceston Airport CEO Shane O’Hare said the upgrade will modernise the 800-square-metre facility and positions Virgin Australia Cargo to meet the ever-increasing demand for cargo.

“As an island state, it’s critical that our producers can ship to customers. This new cargo facility will enhance Virgin Australia Cargo’s ability to export goods in a timely manner so that customers around Australia and the world can enjoy fresh Tasmanian seafood and produce on their own dinner tables,” he said.

“Virgin Australia Cargo is an important partner of ours. As well as delivering cargo, Virgin Australia has significantly invested in network growth over the past 18 months, including increasing flight frequency and starting new services to destinations such as Perth and Adelaide. All of this is good news for Northern Tasmanians.

“We are also grateful for the investment the Tasmanian Government is making in Northern Tasmania, which underpins its confidence in Launceston Airport as an important infrastructure hub that is supporting growth in our region,” Mr O’Hare said.

ENDS