Oceania Aviation, part of the Salus Aviation group, has implemented a number of measures to ensure the safety of its customers while allowing continued service, including e-delivery and inspection for aircraft sales and parts, contact tracing, increased use of PPE and new aircraft sanitisation procedures.

The Salus Aviation group provides rotary and fixed wing aftermarket support services for the global aviation sector, as well as aircraft and parts sales. Its subsidiary company based in New Zealand, Oceania Aviation, is one of the largest aviation businesses in the region, and supports both helicopter and fixed wing operators via a vast range of maintenance, repair and overhaul services. Oceania Aviation provides turnkey aircraft support solutions to its customers, from regular line maintenance through to upgrading avionics, blade repair, component and engine overhaul, parts supply and full aircraft reconfigurations. The business also designs and manufactures innovative role equipment via its manufacturing division, which provides solutions to operators who need to add extra functionality to their aircraft.

Oceania Aviation’s capabilities span almost all major small to medium aircraft OEMs, from Airbus, Bell and MD Helicopters through to Cessna, Diamond and Beechcraft. Single and twin engine helicopters make up a large majority of the aircraft types that the MRO business most commonly supports, given the range and volume of these across New Zealand and Australia. Getting specific in terms of the single and twin engine helicopter market, it services and supports a number of MD500s and 600s, a wide range of Bell helicopters (from 206s through to 407s and 212s), Airbus EC120s and 130s, and R44s and R66s (which are very common in New Zealand) among a range of other aircraft types.

Head of marketing Liv Lewis-Long says COVID-19 has presented numerous challenges to Oceania Aviation alongside fellow MRO businesses, primarily due to travel restrictions as well as the requirement for physical distancing and increased hygiene measures. “In terms of how Oceania Aviation is trying to further support the aviation community, we are continually working with customers to manage both their operating and maintenance costs during this time. There are a range of support measures being offered, from re-negotiating maintenance and leasing agreements through to offering alternative MRO and parts solutions that can create valuable cost-efficiencies for the customer.

“The business aviation market is clearly challenged at the moment, due to many of the factors discussed above. The global economic factors of COVID-19 have an obvious downward effect on the aviation market, especially in the international tourism sector, which is particularly significant in New Zealand. Many operators and service providers have seen a downturn in business over the past 12 months, however we believe that the potential for recovery is huge. With the rollout of the vaccine over the coming 12 months and the subsequent reopening of borders, we expect to see a steep rise in aviation-related activity, with pent up demand for tourism and travel contributing to this recovery.”

Plans for the Oceania business within the 2021 year include exploring opportunities to expand its footprint within the New Zealand market, as well as pursuing and cementing further strategic partnerships with complementary businesses both in the Australasian market and further afield.