our history

    Chartair is one of the longest flying General Aviation companies in Australia with a history stretching back to 1974 with the establishment of Leach Aero Services by Canadian-born engineer Roger Leach in Alice Springs.

    1974

    Leach Aero Services established in Alice Springs providing rotary and fixed-wing flight services and aircraft maintenance.

    1986

    Acquired Ayers Rock Air Services (ARAS) to expand scenic flights to and around Uluru.

    1987

    Operations expanded throughout Central Australia and Barkley Tableland as part of increased RASS “Mail Plane” services.

    1988

    Took over operations in Alice Springs and Darwin of Chartair. Changed name to Chartair.

    1993

    Took over charter and RPT services to Katherine and Roper Region into the Kimberley from AirNorth.

    1994

    Complete takeover of AirNorth. Separated out charter services into Chartair and RPT into AirNorth.

    1998

    Commenced overheight freight services for TNT between Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, and Alice Springs, and Darwin, Groote Eylandt, and Gove.

    2002

    Increased maintenance operations in Alice Springs to include third party operators and turbine engines.

    2006

    Purchased Aboriginal Air’s Darwin facilities to become the new head office for Chartair.

    2008

    Chartair upgrades to a Low Capacity AOC. First Cessna Grand Caravan purchased (VH-NGC).

    2009

    New base in Ngukurr established. Second Cessna Grand Caravan purchased (VH-NGC), to service RASS contracts in Central Australia.

    2010

    Third Cessna Grand Caravan added to fleet (leased). First Cessna Conquest purchased (VH-JLT).

    2013

    Chartair becomes the first GA operator in the NT to receive Part 145 approvals. Two more Cessna Conquests added to fleet.

    2015

    Chartair changes ownership. New owners also purchase aircraft owned by Overall Aircraft Maintenance, taking fleet to more than 40 aircraft. This is in addition to their existing Sydney-based operations of AirMed.

    2017

    Two Cessna Grand Caravans, previously leased, now purchased to take C208 fleet to four. New Cairns base established upon successful award of RASS contract to provide mail and freight services to Cape York in Far North Queensland.

    2018

    Increased RPT services from Darwin. Introduced a suite of new scenic and tourism products.

    2020

    Successfully navigated the challenges of COVID-19. Maintained most services and kept all staff employed. Support from Federal and the NT Governments was greatly appreciated.

    2021

    Three more Cessna Conquests added to the fleet for a total of six – one of the biggest operators of this aircraft type in the Southern Hemisphere.

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