Melbourne businessman Paul Little has reportedly acquired the former JHAS facilities at Melbourne Airport with a view to establishing a new VIP jet base on the site.
The deal, reportedly valued at $10 million, will see Mr Little spend an addition al $10 million refurbishing and establishing the FBO on the site as part of his Little Aviation business.
“We want to change the focus of the facility from what has been maintenance to one of servicing private aircraft and associated aviation businesses,” Mr Little told Fairfax media. “We think the types of people that will use the facilities are private aircraft owners through to rock groups to sporting people that come to Melbourne for the grand prix. It is the sort of world-class facility that Melbourne just doesn’t have at the moment.”
Mr Little said he hoped the new venture would be able to employ some of the 230-strong workforce from JHAS which ceased operations in March, and he hoped other elements of the former Ansett site could be redeveloped into aviation training facilities.
“We’ve already had talks with several colleges who have expressed interest in using some of the site for training purposes, and we could also look to build some student accommodation there as part of it,” he said
Mr Little owns a large shareholding in transport and logistics group Toll Holdings.
