New Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct to Boost Aviation Industry

8 March 2022

A new Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct will be established at Darwin International Airport (DIA) creating jobs and new training opportunities for Territorians.

It follows the recent announcement by Amphibian Aerospace Industries Pty Ltd (AAI) to establish an advanced manufacturing centre to build an upgraded version of the Albatross amphibious aircraft in the Territory for the global export market, which will create around 300 jobs.

AAI will be the first tenant of the Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct - Darwin.

The milestone comes as the Territory Labor Government and 15 other signatories signed a Collaboration Agreement.

The 15 signatories include aerospace, manufacturing and commercial investment industry organisations, as well as the Territory Aviation Skills Centre, the Chamber of Commerce NT, the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre and Airport Development Group (ADG), owners and operators of DIA.

This 20 hectare precinct will provide new manufacturing jobs and opportunities for Territorians to upskill in a growing aviation industry.

The establishing of the Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct in Darwin further boosts the positioning of the Territory as a critical location in the Australian aviation sector due to its location and the presence of companies already.

Darwin is also home to a strong and growing defence sector, an emerging space industry and the digital infrastructure that will connect the Territory directly to Asia and North America as well as other Australian capital cities.

For more information please visit: Darwin Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct | Invest NT. 

Quotes from Chief Minister Michael Gunner:

“The Northern Territory is Australia’s best investment. It means jobs for Territorians - and jobs mean growth.

“Supporting this new aviation precinct sets the Territory up to further support more industry and more growth. Developing this industry is a key enabler to other sectors in the Territory including energy, agribusiness, mining, tourism and international education and training. 

“A fully functioning Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct will help foster the development of a thriving aviation manufacturing industry, attract investment and businesses to come to the Territory.”

Quotes from Airport Development Group / Chair Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct – Darwin, Project Working Group, Ross Baynes:

“This agreement will see Darwin Airport become the home of amphibian aircraft manufacturing and is a positive step in the Territory’s economic development.”

As a signatory partner, we are excited about the myriad benefits it will deliver to Territorians and local businesses.

This project really puts Darwin on the map as a potential location for businesses looking to expand and support aviation manufacturing.”

Northern Territory Government