GBR Helicopters Managing Director, Ian Johnson said the centre’s opening was a celebration for the company that in the past year had undergone significant growth to build both its tourism and commercial charter business.
In recent months it has employed 17 additional staff, launched its own flight training school in Mareeba and expanded its fleet to 18 helicopters with the acquisition of seven additional aircraft. This year also saw the development of a new base at Horn Island in the Torres Strait.
According to Mr Johnson, Cairns Heli-Centre’s opening marked the beginning of a new era for the company that is striving to offer a world-class experience where customer service is paramount.
"The opening of Cairns Heli-Centre has effectively centralised GBR's customer service, reservations and sales departments while providing a check-in and briefing area for helicopter passengers. It also features a retail store and the first helicopter merchandise store in Australia - which as soon as the stock arrives in Cairns, will provide an extensive range of the normally hard-to-find helicopter collectibles and memorabilia from model helicopters to posters, clothing and postcards," he said.
Mr Johnson commented that while Cairns Heli-Centre is a significant investment in his company’s future they are confident it will contribute to the overall experience and perception of Cairns as a global tourism destination for visitors to the region.
Last week GBR Helicopters welcomed aviation professional Alex Jefferis in the new role of Director of Operations following a restructuring of the company’s management team. Mr Jefferis joined GBR after 28 years with Qantas including several as the company’s Head of Queensland Airports.
Effective today, Friday 29 November, GBR Helicopters’ Cairns Heli-Centre will operate seven days between 8am and 6pm. It is located at 2 Pier Pont Road, Marina Point, Cairns (opposite Salthouse Restaurant).
About GBR Helicopters
GBR Helicopters employs over 60 staff. Its company headquarters are located at Cairns Airport. The company also operates bases in the Cairns CBD, Port Douglas, Horn Island in the Torres Strait and a flight training school in Mareeba that is situated on the Atherton Tablelands, one hour’s drive west of Cairns.
GBR Helicopters’ tourism division is the exclusive provider of helicopter services to the major Reef Cruise Operators including Great Adventures and Green Island, Quicksilver Cruises, Reef Magic and Sunlover Cruises - servicing their activity pontoons on the Great Barrier Reef. As a result of these marine based activities, Great Barrier Reef Helicopters has earned the distinction of conducting the highest number of single engine offshore helicopter landings per annum – worldwide.
The Company’s Commercial operation provides services to a broad range of customers in a variety of industries and support roles including MMG Limited’s Century Mine, Telstra, Ergon Energy, Queensland Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Environment & Heritage Protection It is also contracted to provide 24 hour Marine Pilot Transfer services to operators of bulk carrier cargo ships navigating the Great Barrier Reef.
For more, www.gbrhelicopters.com.au
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