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Microflite Group invests $13 million in new aircraft for Par Avion and Tasmania's Southwest

3 days ago
3 min read

Brand new aircraft for the Southwest, with the first Tecnam P2012 STOL flying by the end of January 2027

HOBART: Microflite Group today announced a $13 million investment in new aircraft to fly visitors into Tasmania's Southwest, strengthening air access to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Tasmanian Wilderness for years to come.

The investment begins with two Tecnam P2012 STOL aircraft and a Cessna 206HD. The first Tecnam will be operational by the end of January 2027. The second Tecnam and the Cessna 206HD will follow in mid 2027, ahead of the 2027/28 summer season.


The Tecnam P2012 STOL is a modern twin engine aircraft with 11 seats, designed for short runways and remote strips. It will fly from Cambridge Airport in Hobart into Southwest National Park, landing at Melaleuca.

The Cessna 206HD is a brand new version of the aircraft that flies to Melaleuca today, and one of only a few aircraft types able to land on its remote airstrip.

Visitors have been flying into Tasmania's Southwest with Par Avion for more than 40 years. Par Avion is now part of Microflite Group, alongside Microflite Aviation, Cambridge Airport and Airlines of Tasmania.

Microflite Group CEO Rodney Higgins said the investment reflected the Group's long term commitment to Tasmania.

"Our team in Hobart is passionate about what they do, and flying into the Southwest is a very special Tasmanian experience. This investment gives our passengers safe and modern aircraft, and it shows we're here for the long term," Mr Higgins said.
"People have been flying from Hobart into the Southwest for more than 40 years, and we want that to continue for the next 40. The Tecnam was built for exactly this kind of flying, and we are proud to be bringing it to Tasmania."

Scenic flights, wilderness tours and the wilderness camp in the Southwest all continue.

Tourism Tasmania CEO Sarah Kingston Clark welcomed the investment.

"The Southwest is a remarkable part of Tasmania, and air access is how so many visitors get to experience it. We welcome Microflite Group's investment in new aircraft, demonstrating confidence in Tasmania's visitor economy and securing air access to this special place."

The Tecnam P2012 STOL is supplied through Tecnam's Australian representative, Hallmarc Aviation.

About Par Avion

Par Avion, a Microflite Group company, has flown visitors across Tasmania for more than 40 years and has won numerous state and national tourism awards. From Cambridge Airport in Hobart, Par Avion offers day tours and overnight stays at its wilderness camp in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Southwest, flights for bushwalkers, and East Coast tours to Wineglass Bay. paravion.com.au

About Microflite Group

Proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, Microflite Group has grown from a single aircraft charter operation in 2005 into a national aviation group with a fleet of 30 plus aircraft, multiple bases, and more than 175 staff. Its businesses, Microflite Aviation, Par Avion, Airlines of Tasmania and Cambridge Airport, deliver airport operations in Tasmania and national aviation services including charter and tourism, specialist aerial work, advanced training, engineering and maintenance, and aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, from bases across Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. microflitegroup.com.au

Media contact

Emma Cathcart, Director of Engagement & Communications, Microflite Group

Images and interviews with Rodney Higgins available on request.

 
 
 

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