Mining company Mineral Resources is preparing to launch an in-house fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) airline named MinRes Air (Perth International). In a May 9 announcement, it said the internal carrier would deliver an improved travel experience for its remote workforce and operate from a dedicated terminal at Perth International.
The company already contracts Skytraders (SND, Sydney Kingsford Smith) to operate flights using an A319-100 between Brisbane International and MinRes’ Ken’s Bore and Wodgina mine sites in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
“For many of our workforce who live in Queensland or elsewhere on the east coast, these services reduce their travel time by one full day,” said Mineral Resources representative Bethanie Ibrahim.
The latest statement said the company intends to officially launch MinRes Air in the second half of 2024 and is currently recruiting experienced captains and first officers with Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) A320-type ratings.
“MinRes Air will provide complete flight flexibility to respond to MinRes’ requirements to facilitate optimum staff rosters and additional flight capacity for construction and organic growth,” notes attached to the job advertisement said. “Dedicated aircraft fleet, terminals, ground handling, and maintenance facilities (staged), all are controlled by MinRes Air and managed by MinRes to provide a complete end-to-end process.”