Wednesday September 28, 2011

Chairman David Munt said Mr Young, who has been AAL’s Chief Financial Officer since 2001, brought considerable experience and a strong understanding of the airport’s operations to the role.

“Mr Young has played a key role in Adelaide Airport’s expansion and stunning passenger growth over the past decade,” Mr Munt said.

“He also led the successful $405m capital raising program throughout 2010 as part of AAL’s refinancing and expansion strategy, and has maintained the company’s strong credit rating and healthy balance sheet.

“Mr Young has demonstrated he has a clear vision for the ongoing growth of Adelaide Airport, from an aeronautical, property and business development perspective.”

Prior to joining AAL, Mr Young was Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary with San Remo, and Finance Director for Macmahon Holdings Limited.

He has a Bachelor of Economics (Accounting) at the University of Adelaide and is a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  Mr Young recently completed an Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School in the US.

Current Managing Director Phil Baker will continue with AAL until December 31, 2011 to assist with a smooth senior executive transition.

Mr Munt congratulated Phil Baker for his outstanding efforts in leading AAL from its inception in 1998 when it took over the operations of Adelaide Airport from the Commonwealth Government.

“Mr Baker has taken a fledgling company and turned it into Australia’s most modern and efficient capital city airport.  He has achieved this despite significant challenges such as the impact of September 11, the collapse of airlines and the global financial crisis,” he said.

“The completion of the T1 building is testament to his hard work and dedication to this company.  I sincerely wish Mr Baker all the best in whatever activities he chooses to take on in the future.”

Information via Hughes PR.

• See aircraft from all vintages, old and new.
  
• Three of Australia's top aerobatic champions will be there giving displays that must be seen to believed.
• Helicopter rides will be run all day by local business Barossa Helicopters.
• The RAAF Roulettes will be on display.
  

• Food & wines.
  
• Art & craft stalls.
• Sideshows and interesting exhibits.

Visitors welcome.

The Royal Australian Air Force’s AP-3C Orion detachment has chalked up a remarkable milestone of 20,000 hours of operational missions in support of operations in the Middle East.

On Tuesday, 15 August, one of the two Orion aircraft currently in the Middle East flew an overland mission in search of insurgents in southern Afghanistan when the milestone was recorded.

The AP-3C aircraft are deployed from RAAF base Edinburgh, South Australia.

The Air Component Commander, Group Captain Paul Nicholas said approximately 2800 personnel have deployed in support of AP-3C operations in the Middle East since 2003 and this milestone was testament to both the professionalism and hard work of 92 Wing Detachments.

“The combined efforts of the AP-3Cs and the wider RAAF team have enabled the Air Component to support coalition land operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and maritime operations in the Arabian Sea and surrounding maritime areas of the Middle East,” Group Captain Nicholas said.

“Our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions were initially focused on maritime missions in the Arabian Gulf region and soon expanded to overland missions in support of the stabilisation of Iraq.

“Today, our commitment extends from Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to the Indian Ocean off East Africa in support of maritime security and counter-piracy operations.”

Group Captain Nicholas said the achievement of the milestone was testament to the efforts of the aircrew and maintenance personnel along with the enabling efforts of Intelligence, Imagery Analysts, Operations Officers, logistics and many other combat support personnel who are essential to providing the AP-3C capability.

“Our maintenance personnel begin work on the aircraft as soon as they return from operations. Their work is professionally rewarding and their efforts have made a significant contribution to the safe and ongoing operation of these aircraft.”

20,000 hours of operational missions equates to 833 days of 24-hour operations or two and a quarter years of continuous flying.

To celebrate the milestone, an Australian and British fire-fighting truck provided a traditional water canon welcome to Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE where the two AP-3C Orion aircraft are stationed.

On Monday 1st of August 2011 (around midnight), Sir Richard Williams Avenue will be closed to traffic to allow further construction of the new multi level car park at Adelaide Airport. Tuesday morning the new Western Link Road will be the main route to T1. Exit from the Short Term Car Park will be to the northern end of what remains of Sir Richard Williams Avenue. Passengers will still be able to be dropped off or picked up from the original overway as is currently in use in front of T1. 

This video shows an overview of the new route to T1. http://vimeo.com/27107074