A Quick Snapshot
Capiteq Limited purchased Airnorth in 1993. At the time, Airnorth flew out of Darwin to several Communities in the Northern Territory, using four Cessna 402C aircraft on revenues of $3 million per annum.
Ten years later the Capiteq Group has revenues approaching $50 million per annum and operates eleven propjet aircraft plus other assorted aircraft throughout the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Indonesia and East Timor.
The expansion has been funded from cash flows and borrowings on initial subscribed capital of $50,000.
Total tangible assets are $30 million and shareholders equity $8million (June 2004).
The overriding goal of the group is to achieve sustainable profits and consistent growth through improving operational performance without compromising safety.
Airnorth has been in operation since 1978.
So what is RegionalLink?
RegionalLink Airlines is an initiative which will shape the future of regional air services in Australia. It is our global brand for Airnorth and other potential franchise partners, many of whom are independent operators allied to Qantas.
RegionalLink Airlines will provide a raft of services -- reservations, marketing, yield management, leveraged purchasing -- to franchised operators. Operators with strong local identities will have the added strength of centralised services and technology.
RegionalLink is a bold concept - the first example of franchising in the Australian air transport industry. In time we intend to create a virtual airline with very substantial revenues. Franchise agreements are being devised, and the business structure of the Capiteq Group revamped.
Launched in Adelaide on 1 March 2004 by Phil Hoffmann, Chairman SA Tourism Commission. RegionalLink was then introduced to the Northern Territory at a reception in Darwin on 2 April 2004 attended by Chief Minister, Clare Martin. "The RegionalLink concept is to be applauded for its aim of providing sustainable and affordable services through a strategy of shared resources and lower costs for participating airlines" said Ms Martin.
The RegionalLink Airlines logo, under which individual carriers will unite, features Australia's Southern Cross, with a large central star representing regional Australia and a vertical swirl to unify north, south, east and west.
Through the development of this brand a strong alliance has been developed with multi award-winning performer, James Blundell, who has a strong affinity for regional Australia.
James will become a roving ambassador for RegionalLink Airlines. He will appear on print and electronic promotions and be the voice of all RegionalLink announcements from on-hold phone messages to in-flight safety briefings
Who are the members of RegionalLink?
Airnorth
Airnorth is the major regional aviation operator in Northern Australia. Headquartered in Darwin the company operates 152 scheduled departures weekly, servicing 10 destinations including, Maningrida, Milingimbi, Elcho Island Gove, Groote Eylandt, Kununurra WA, Broome WA, Dili - East Timor and Kupang - Indonesia
(6 domestic, 2 international) and uplifting 132,250 passengers annually.
In addition to these scheduled departures Airnorth operates a large number of charter services for a wide variety of companies undertaking mining, defence and government activity.
Airnorth directly employs 174 staff in Darwin and provides indirect employment through the contracting of ground service operations across all its destinations.
In recent years Airnorth has experienced significant change through their reaction to both internal and external pressures. The demise of Ansett in 2001 saw Airnorth develop a crisis management plan which enabled the company to recover from a massive disruption in operations and restore air services to a majority of Airnorth's destinations in a matter of days, at the same time enduring net financial losses of $1.6M.
Since then Airnorth has formed a corporate alliance with Qantas Airways which includes the hosting of all flights in the Amadeus system, inclusion in the QF Frequent Flyer Program, thru-fares & thru-check, joint marketing activities and participation in a joint training program for Qantas aircrew. This arrangement will soon include E-Ticket facilities which will vastly improve Airnorth's service to clients.
Airnorth were the first airline to establish services to Dili, East Timor during the political uprising in 1999 and are currently conducting 10 scheduled services per week. We also provide support to humanitarian organisations providing aid in East Timor through special fares and waivers to excess luggage charges.
In May of 2004 Airnorth signed contracts to commence services between Darwin and Kupang, Indonesia under a joint venture arrangement with Merpati Nusantara Airlines. This ceremony was hosted by NT Minister for Asian Trade & Relations, Mr Paul Henderson.
Can you charter a plane with RegionalLink?
Yes, click here for more information.
What type of aircraft do we operate?
Embraer Brasilia 120
Fairchild Metroliner 23
Embraer Banderante 110
What about Engineering ?
Founded in 1985, Aircraft Logistics is the engineering division of the Capiteq Group.
Headquartered at Darwin International Airport, Aircraft Logistics occupies the largest hangar on the airfield and employs over forty full-time and contract staff. This purpose built hangar is 3,7002 metres and is capable of accommodating our fleet of 6 x 30 seat Brasilias and 3 x 19 seat Metroliners simultaneously.
In addition to Airnorth activity in Darwin, Aircraft Logistics provides ongoing assistance and logistical support to other operators within the region. These organisations include Chartair, Hardy Aviation, National Jet Systems and
Trans Capital Air.
A comprehensive stock (in excess of $6M value) of spare parts and specialist tooling is held by Aircraft Logistics enabling them to support the maintenance of our diverse fleet of aircraft.
Safety
The Capiteq Group holds an Air Operators Certificate (AOC No. BN518845-38 at March 2004) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and maintains operational standards of safety compliance equivalent to major airlines.
The Group also has a commitment to ensure maintenance performed on aircraft and aircraft components under Certificate of Approval (COA NO. 4068) issued by CASA, meets the highest standards of airworthiness, quality, reliability and safety.
The Group currently has a dedicated Compliance Department, employing 5 people, tasked with managing, monitoring and reporting upon the internal systems used by the Group to maintain compliance with all legislation, both airline specific and general.
Outside of the Compliance Department there are six other staff members, employed within various Business Units, who have job roles that also assist the Compliance Department in fulfilling their duties. These staff are located in the Maintenance Control, Technical Records, Engineering Technical Services and Quality Control sections of the Group.
The Compliance Department performs a group function and conducts three distinct activities:
Safety Management maintains a pro-active approach to safety in all company departments through the Safety Advisory Group, (SAG). This function also manages and monitors the company safety reporting system, (AIRS), to provide trend analysis and timely advice to the Management Team.
Quality Assurance monitors the efficiency and quality of all company procedures, providing continual feedback to the Management Team in order to promote continual performance improvement.
Document Control coordinates all company manuals ensuring conformity of content and regulatory compliance.
Collectively, Safety (Quality) Management comprises the structure, responsibilities, processes and procedures within the Capiteq Group, that establish and promote the culture of continued improvement to enhance the safety of all operations.
What is our community involvement?
The Capiteq group has a strong commitment to regional communities. Relationships have been established through structured sponsorship programs, corporate attendance and input at various meetings and forums along with other initiatives.
We receive many requests for sponsorship from organizations both within our network of operations and from further afar. All requests are considered in accordance to sponsorship guidelines and all requests are responded to in writing.
Successful applicants are selected on their ability to provide recognition and awareness of the sponsoring carrier's brand and also for their specific focus or regional perspective ie. sporting, indigenous, youth, community or region.
Major sponsorships for 2004 include, but are not limited to Airnorth Ord Valley Muster, Darwin Symphony Orchestra, Northern Territory Rugby, Artback Indigenous Performing Arts, Young Achiever Awards, and NT Duke of Edinburgh's Awards. These sponsorships can range from offering a flight to be raffled or auctioned for fundraising, to providing discounted travel for judges, coaches, award nominees. Many other sponsorships are issued on a one off and/or ad hoc basis.
Airnorth also supports ongoing humanitarian aid in East Timor by offering discounted fares to approved non-government organizations and granting substantial waivers for excess luggage charges on charity items such as clothing, linens, toiletries, books and toys. We also extend this waiver to medical teams traveling with large amounts of medical supplies and equipment to conduct clinics in this region.
Airnorth has recently signed with Angel Flight Australia who co-ordinate free of charge air travel for medically and financially needy patients. Airnorth's very first Angel Flight was conducted on 25 July 2004 to reunite a 12 year old boy with his family for a short time prior to receiving extensive treatment for a rare neurological degenerative disorder.
The Capiteq Group also support the promotion and development of our regional destinations by providing discounted travel for various trade media and special interest journalists and travel writers.
Some of our major contracts
Conocophillips
This charter contract commenced in December 2002 with a twice weekly Darwin - Dili 19 seat passenger service. Six month later (July 2003) the capacity increased to a 30 seat Brasilia operating five Darwin -- Dili returns and 5 Denpasar -- Dili returns per week. During this period Airnorth have also conducted freight charters on an ad hoc basis to/from East Timor & Perth WA.
With the completion of drilling this year the frequency of these operations has now reduced to five Darwin - Dili return, 30 seat services per week.
Australian Defense Forces
This charter between Darwin & Dili, East Timor commenced in June 2001. In the peak of the contract Airnorth operated six 30 seat Brasilia's, two 19 seat Metros and three 2 tonne (18.9 cubic metres) freight services per week.
As the presence of ADF personnel in East Timor was reduced these charter services were reduced accordingly. The current requirement being a fortnightly freight service of 2 tonne.
Argyle Diamond Mine
Operating since June 2001 the Argyle charter operates direct services between Darwin and Argyle for trades people required for the Mine's bi-monthly maintenance shut-down.
This service carries 60 passengers per month and utilises Airnorth's 30 seat Brasilia aircraft.
In addition to these scheduled operations Airnorth has operated many adhoc or short-term charters during the past 4 years for companies including OMV, Tanami Mine, Santos, Nippon Oil, Woodside Shell Development and Anadarko. We also assist NT Correctional Services with the relocation of prisoners between Darwin and Alice Springs and the Dept of Immigration with the relocation of illegal fisherman to/from Kupang, Christmas Island, Horn Island and other destinations.
