Australia-based Heston MRO has ventured into aircraft parking and storage services after signing an agreement with a privately funded airport in Queensland.

Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, located in the south eastern region of the state around 90 miles from Brisbane, will provide capacity for the operation with immediate effect. Opened in 2014, the airport has space for up to 70 aircraft, with potential to expand this to as many as 200 aircraft. 

It will also comprise of both long- and short-term parking and storage options for airlines and aircraft operators, with longer options typically being for a period over three months. 

Heston MRO says it will also offer induction into storage programs, ongoing maintenance support, re-activation, logistics, and other related services. With a runway volume of 2,870 meters, the airport has room to park any size aircraft up to an Airbus A380 superjumbo.

John Wagner, director of Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, says the lingering effects of COVID-19, which earlier this summer led to a grounding of around 80% of the world’s commercial fleet, opened an opportunity for the partnership to form. 

“With COVID-19 having a longer lasting impact on airlines than the anticipated V shape recovery, we see a great number of narrow and widebody aircraft still parked in their original operating airports with humid conditions, high parking fees and limited maintenance,” he says.

The newly formed partnership between the two parties is part of mutual efforts to develop MRO capabilities around the airport and could lead to expanded offerings and more job creation around Toowoomba.

Last month, Heston MRO confirmed to Aviation Week that it is actively looking at capability expansions, with a new light maintenance a possibility in the country.

Since being established in February last year after rebranding from Aircraft Maintenance Services Australia, the company operates six line stations across Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast. Other parts of the Heston MRO business include components repair and engineering services.