Textron Aviation Expands Presence in Australia with New State-of-the-Art Service Facility at Essendon Fields Airport
Textron Aviation has announced a major expansion of its operations in Australia with the construction of a new, larger, and more advanced service facility at Essendon Fields Airport in Melbourne. This development is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing customer support and service capabilities for Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker aircraft owners in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The new facility aims to improve efficiency, increase service capacity, and minimize aircraft downtime, ensuring customers experience seamless operations.
A Significant Expansion to Enhance Service Capabilities
The new service facility at Essendon Fields Airport will significantly increase Textron Aviation’s footprint in Australia. The facility will more than double the size of the existing space, expanding to over 35,000 square feet (3,343 square meters). With a more strategic and central location within the airport, the facility will offer improved accessibility for customers and aircraft operators.
One of the key enhancements of the new facility will be a dedicated Textron Aviation parts stockroom, designed to accelerate parts availability and streamline the repair and maintenance process. The increased storage capacity will facilitate faster shipping and reduce lead times for critical components, ensuring that aircraft can return to service as quickly as possible. Additionally, the facility will feature an upgraded customer lounge, providing a more comfortable and convenient space for operators and crew members while their aircraft undergo maintenance or repairs.
Textron Aviation has set an ambitious timeline for this project, with construction scheduled to begin in March 2025. The company expects the facility to be fully operational by early 2026. This investment reflects Textron Aviation’s long-term vision for strengthening its service infrastructure in Australia and reinforcing its position as a leader in aircraft maintenance and support services in the region.
A Commitment to Excellence in Customer Support
Beechcraft, Cessna, and Hawker customers in Australia will continue to receive factory-direct support, maintenance, and modifications through Textron Aviation Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT). The company operates a global network of service and parts centers, supported by mobile service units and a 24/7 1CALL AOG (aircraft-on-ground) assistance system. These resources ensure that Textron Aviation customers receive the highest level of technical expertise, rapid response, and dependable service whenever and wherever needed.
Brian Rohloff, Senior Vice President of Global Customer Support at Textron Aviation, emphasized the company’s dedication to improving service standards for customers in the region.
“Building this new facility to support the more than 1,400 aircraft operating in the APAC region demonstrates our commitment to providing the strongest combination of factory-direct maintenance and service solutions available for our customers,” Rohloff stated. “This investment will grow our capacity and help us to better assist customers with scheduled maintenance, modifications, and aircraft-on-ground support.”
Strengthening Regional Support with Strategic Investments
The announcement of the new facility follows a series of strategic initiatives Textron Aviation has undertaken in recent years to enhance its service capabilities in Australia and the broader APAC region. In June 2024, the company moved to a larger, modernized facility at Jandakot Airport in Perth, further strengthening its service network. Additionally, Textron Aviation added a dedicated parts warehouse at Essendon Fields Airport, ensuring improved service capacity and better availability of essential components.
To further integrate its operations and streamline services, Textron Aviation recently rebranded Premiair Aviation Maintenance, an Australian service center acquired in 2020, as Textron Aviation Australia Pty Ltd. This name change reflects the seamless integration of the Perth, Gold Coast, and Melbourne facilities into Textron Aviation’s comprehensive global service network. By unifying these operations under a single brand, the company aims to deliver a consistent and superior service experience to its customers across Australia.
Implications for Aircraft Operators and the Industry
The expansion of Textron Aviation’s service facility at Essendon Fields Airport is expected to have a significant positive impact on aircraft operators and the aviation industry in Australia. The ability to access factory-direct maintenance, faster parts supply, and enhanced technical support will provide operators with greater reliability and efficiency. Reduced aircraft downtime means improved operational continuity for businesses and private owners who rely on Textron Aviation aircraft for their missions.
Additionally, the development is likely to create new job opportunities within the aviation maintenance sector, contributing to the growth of skilled employment in Melbourne’s aviation industry. As Textron Aviation scales up its operations, the company may need to expand its workforce, offering positions in engineering, technical support, logistics, and customer service.
Industry experts see this expansion as a reflection of the growing demand for high-quality maintenance and support services in Australia. With a fleet of more than 1,400 Textron Aviation aircraft operating in the APAC region, the need for a robust and responsive service infrastructure has never been greater. The investment in the new facility underscores Textron Aviation’s recognition of this demand and its proactive approach to meeting customer needs.
A Look Ahead: Textron Aviation’s Vision for the Future
Textron Aviation’s continued investment in its global service network demonstrates the company’s forward-looking approach to aviation maintenance and customer support. By expanding its presence in key markets such as Australia, Textron Aviation is positioning itself as a leader in providing world-class service solutions tailored to the needs of aircraft operators.
The company remains committed to leveraging advanced technology, innovative service solutions, and strategic partnerships to enhance its service offerings. As aviation technology evolves and aircraft become more sophisticated, the demand for highly specialized maintenance services will continue to rise. Textron Aviation is well-positioned to meet this demand through its investment in state-of-the-art facilities, a skilled workforce, and a customer-centric approach.
With the new Essendon Fields facility set to open in early 2026, Textron Aviation customers in Australia can look forward to a new era of enhanced service capabilities, faster turnaround times, and greater operational efficiency. The company’s unwavering focus on customer satisfaction and service excellence ensures that Textron Aviation remains the preferred choice for Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker aircraft maintenance and support in the region.
Textron Aviation’s decision to expand its service facility at Essendon Fields Airport marks a significant milestone in its commitment to serving the Australian aviation community. The new facility will provide an improved customer experience, increased service efficiency, and a stronger support network for operators across the APAC region. With construction set to begin in 2025 and operations expected to commence in early 2026, this expansion will play a crucial role in shaping the future of aircraft maintenance and support in Australia.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, Textron Aviation remains at the forefront of delivering innovative, customer-focused solutions that ensure safety, reliability, and performance for its aircraft operators. The expansion at Essendon Fields Airport is a testament to Textron Aviation’s dedication to excellence and its vision for the future of aviation services in Australia and beyond.
