Mahindra GippsAero appoints Hawker Pacific as dealer for Asean

Mahindra GippsAero has appointed Hawker Pacific as its authorised dealer for the Asean region. GippsAero is the Australian manufacturing arm of Mahindra Aerospace and manufacturer of the GA8 Airvan utility aircraft.

Mahindra Aerospace is the aircraft and aero-structure manufacturing division of Mahindra Systech, and aims to be a global player in aviation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hawker Pacific will represent GippsAero products exclusively across ten countries of the Asean region, with a focus on GA8 Airvan and GA10 sales. Hawker Pacific will also provide maintenance services to the growing fleet of GippsAero aircraft in the region.

The GA8 Airvan is a single engine, piston-powered aircraft, available in a normally aspirated or turbocharged version.

With a spacious cabin, the aircraft is in operation across passenger transport, freight transportation, special missions and law enforcement and humanitarian aid activities.

The aircraft wing of the Mahindra and Mahindra Group, Mahindra Aerospace has been looking to acquire stakes in a number of aircraft component manufacturers in Europe and the US.

In 2009, it had acquired Australian companies Gippsland Aeronautics and Aerostaff Australia. Last year, it had signed an agreement to acquire parts making machinery from Boeing's facility in Melbourne, Australia.

In May this year, Mahindra GippsAero completed the first flight of its new single turbo-prop aircraft, the GA10. It is the first single turbo-prop plane to be developed in Australia, and is a 10-seat, multi-role bird.

Speaking about the Hawker Pacific deal, Arvind Mehra, Executive Director and CEO, Mahindra Aerospace, said: “Our partnership will help us grow market awareness in Asean for our current GA8 and future products like the GA10. This also gives Mahindra Aerospace and Hawker Pacific an opportunity to evaluate a much larger relationship in the future.”

Tony Jones, Chief Operating Officer, Asia, for Hawker Pacific, said: “We have watched the development of the GippsAero Airvan with great interest. The product has evolved into an extremely effective utility aircraft suitable for a range of missions including tourism, utility and passenger transport.”

Alan Smith, CEO of Hawker Pacific, said: “The GA8 is an established aircraft with remarkable operational and productivity characteristics that are well suited to operators in the region. The GA10 will provide the same characteristics with turbine performance.”

Established in Australia in 1978, Hawker Pacific caters to aviation sales and product support, both civil and military. The firm has 15 locations across Asia Pacific and West Asia.

Sourced: thehindubusinessline