Helicopter operator AirMelbourne launched their Heli-Express service from Moorabbin Airport to Melbourne Airport today, creating up to 20 jobs in the general aviation industry.
The operator will use three Agusta 109s to run commuter services seven days a week, cutting the trip from Melbourne's south-east to Tullamarine from 90 minutes to 12 minutes. The expansion represents an investment of $12 million.
AirMelbourne director John Borg said the company set-up the service after extensive research into potential demand.
"After identifying a gap in existing transport options available to travelers commuting to Melbourne CBD and Melbourne Airport, and in consultation with Melbourne Airport, a collaborative partnership was established with Mercedes Benz to explore the possibilities of providing fast and efficient transport services," he told the media at the launch this afternoon.
"Research regarding passenger demographics revealed that 30 million passengers pass through Melbourne Airport every year; 10 million of those are business or frequent flyers, and more importantly, 80% of those originate from the south-eastern suburbs."
The new service is expected to create five new pilot positions and 15 new support positions, which pleased Victorian Minister Responsible for the Aviation Industry, Gordon Rich-Phillips.
"This is great news for Moorabbin Airport and Victoria’s overall aviation industry, which makes a vital contribution to the state’s economy and underpins solid performance in tourism and inbound investment," he said.
"What we need in the aviation industry is the type of innovation that we are seeing today with the launch of Heli-Express by AirMelbourne.
"It's a great credit to the AirMelbourne team that [they] are making that investment, that [they] have confidence in the Victorian economy and the direction we are going."
The 12-minute trip will cost $274 and includes transfers from the Melbourne Airport helipad to the terminal via Mercedes Benz's airport valet services.
AirMelbourne operates 27 aircraft on charter and airwork operations including commuter services between Melbourne Airport and the city helipad.