Alliance Aviation Services has extended an air charter contract with BHP Nickel West by five years.
This means that Brisbane-based Alliance’s service contract to provide air services to BHP Nickel West will have been in continuous operation for 17 years at the close of this latest extension, which will run until 2023.
The agreement between the companies started in November 2006 and is Alliance’s longest-running contract with BHP and its first for Western Australia.
“Alliance has worked with BHP Nickel West as a partner in the provision of these services accommodating changes during the resources downturn and now we are experiencing growth of up to 17 charters per week as economic conditions continue to improve,” Alliance chief executive officer Lee Schofield said.
“As with our other resources customers throughout Australia, we are seeing growth in the number of charters as the current demand for resources is maintained and production increases.”
BHP and Alliance have a long-standing relationship. In April, Alliance extended a separate Pilbara contract with BHP Iron Ore until 2019.
The airline offers chartered FIFO flights from Perth to BHP-owned airports near the Yandi mine and Mining Area C. The company is also contracted to service BHP’s Olympic Dam operation in South Australia until 2021.
Among its many clients, Alliance is known for providing services for the Australian Government. It is also a member of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) and is the largest supplier of FIFO flights for the Australian mining and resources industry.