Heston MRO signs purchase agreement for Cairns MRO facility

Heston MRO, the largest independent MRO organisation in Australasia, signed a Purchase Agreement for the acquisition of Cairns MRO facility from Jet Aviation.

Upon completion, the new acquisition will expand Heston MRO capabilities into full Heavy Maintenance for regional aircraft, as well as state-of-the-art Avionics Repairs shops for a wider range of aircraft types.

Established more than 20 years ago and expanded significantly in 2018, Cairns MRO centre has been initially operating under Hawker Pacific, and recently under Jet Aviation brands.

It is one of the most modern, well invested, and up-to-date Heavy Maintenance and Avionics Repairs facilities in Australia. Staffed with circa 150 experienced employees and contractors, housed in 5400 square metres of recently expanded and upgraded hangars and offices, Cairns MRO is the largest MRO centre in Far North Queensland, attracting customers from Australia, Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia.

‘We are excited to add Cairns facility to the Heston MRO family’, says Jonas Butautis, Director and Partner at Heston MRO. ‘Over the last couple of years, our company has been looking for the best options on how to expand into Heavy Maintenance and Components Repairs in Australia. Having done the analysis on Cairns facility, its professional and experienced staff, range of capabilities, and growth potential, we decided that it fits well into the overall Heston MRO vision of becoming a Total Care partner for airlines in the Australasian region. Once the transaction is complete, Heston MRO will be offering Line, Base, Components, Engines MRO capabilities, as well as Technical Training and other services. With selected services, we will be able to cover the full suite of aircraft types, from smaller regionals like ATR and Dash 8 Q400, narrow bodies like B737 and A320s, to large widebodies like B777, B787, A350, and A380s.’

The transaction, which is subject to standard pre-closing procedures, is estimated to complete by the end of Q1 2022. Once completed, Cairns facility will operate under Heston MRO brand and continue delivering high-quality MRO services to existing and new customers in Australasia.