The future of Tasmanian helicopter company Rotor-Lift Aviation is under a cloud as its valuable Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is up for sale.
Rotor-Lift, which lost a lucrative Tasmanian emergency medical services (EMS) contract to StarFlight last year, put its AOC up for sale late last year, with the page stating expressions of interest were due before Christmas Day. It is still unknown if there has been any interest.
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On Rotor-Lift’s website, the sale is described as “a unique opportunity to acquire one of Australia’s most experienced and fully compliant aviation companies, providing an immediate entry point into both the aircraft and fixed wing markets under current CASA regulations.”
“Rotor-Lift Aviation’s dual AOCs and associated infrastructure offer a turnkey platform to enter or expand into the Australian aviation market, particularly for operators seeking immediate CASA-approved capacity in the fixed-wing and rotary aircraft sectors,” the listing reads.
StarFlight, which wrested the $354 million contract from Rotor-Lift last year, has hired former Rotor-Lift employees as pilots, aircrew officers and aircraft maintenance engineers.
“We are 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,” StarFlight Tasmania general manager Kriss Lawler said earlier this month.
“It was part of our strategy from the beginning to retain as many experienced Tasmanians as possible because that institutional knowledge is so important.
“The focus is now on delivering world-class care, safety and better patient outcomes to Tasmanians, no matter where they live.”
The decision to award the 12-year Tasmanian contract to StarFlight was condemned by Rotor-Lift at the time, with CEO Allana Corbin saying in August it had been made without consulting the existing operator.
“This is a devastating day that will spell the end for Rotor-Lift, put 37 Tasmanian jobs at risk, increase uncertainty for a central service and put the budget under unnecessary pressure,” he said.
“We are a family here, and come mid-January, we will cease to exist. All that intensive training and experience that Rotor-Lift has invested in is basically being picked up and handed over to someone else, and that’s pretty hard to take.”
Rotor-Lift also offers services including aerial mapping and surveying, helicopter tours and flight training courses. The company declined to comment.
