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Airport Development Group, which owns and operates Darwin International Airport, has launched an expression of interest campaign for general aviation operators looking to snap up hangar space in the airport’s new 4,000-square-metre development zone.
The new general aviation precinct on Murphy Road is expected to see a range of aviation businesses, including flight training facilities, private jet operators, maintenance hangars, charter and tourism operations, as well as defence and aeromedical operators.
According to the airport, precinct sites begin at 200 square metres and offer airside access via established taxiways for Code A aircraft with a wingspan of up to 16 metres and a maximum take-off weight of up to 5,700 kilograms.
Airport Development Group’s (ADG) executive general manager of property, Tristan Cribb, called Darwin an “important” hub for aviation and defence, and said the new development precinct is open to both new and established businesses.
“Importantly, we are taking an open approach to the EOI. We want to understand what the market needs, what businesses want to develop and how we can work with proponents to create the right facilities for their operations,” Cribb said.
“Whether it is an established operator looking to expand, a new aviation business looking for a Darwin base, an aircraft owner seeking purpose-built hangarage or an aviation-support business looking to grow, we encourage them to put forward their ideas,” he said.
“This is an opportunity to help shape what the next generation of general aviation looks like at Darwin International Airport.”
Expressions of interest (EOI) are open now until 2:00pm (ACST) on Thursday, 26 November 2026. EOIs should include details about the operator’s preferred site size, their aircraft requirements, development requirements, operational needs, proposed time frame and organisational capability, ADG said.
Meanwhile, work continues over at RAAF Base Darwin, which is now midway through its $160 million upgrade project. Notably, the civilian airport and RAAF base share a runway.
Under the project, the air base is set to see a large-scale infrastructure and facilities upgrade, which aims to bolster the base’s operational capacity, safety and resilience. The investment will deliver a suite of improvements, including a new high-capacity main entrance, a separate upgraded entry for heavy vehicles, and vital upgrades to the base’s potable water, firefighting water and sewer systems.
The project is designed to strengthen RAAF Base Darwin’s ability to support the high volume of personnel, aircraft and logistics during major exercises and deployments, solidifying its role as a key hub in Australia’s northern defence network.
The upgrade project is currently earmarked for completion in 2027.
This article originally appeared on Australian Aviation.
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