Cobham goes for gold

For a quarter of a century, Cobham has provided charter services to diverse mining companies, from the iron orerich veins of the Pilbara, the gas fields of Barrow Island, to the gold-flecked rocks around Kalgoorlie, Leonora and surrounds.

As market demand fluctuates for aviation services, Cobham has always remained a nimble supplier, able to adapt according to their clients’ requirements. Often delivering employees to remote and inaccessible mine sites, Cobham is able to do so thanks to an innovative approach to adapting their fleet according to local conditions.

“Cobham has always been at the forefront of innovation in the FIFO sector and evolved its offering in line with industry requirements,” said Dean Brennan, Cobham’s Managing Director of Regional Services.

“For instance, in the 2000s, in an Australian-first, Cobham commenced jet FIFO services to unpaved airstrips following in-house modification of several Ae 146 jets with “gravel kits” that protected the undercarriage and airframe during take-off and landing.”

As times change and a focus on sustainability comes to the fore, Cobham is progressively modernising its fleet.

“Cobham has introduced the Embraer 190 jet and Q400 turboprop for flexibility of rosters, suitability for different aerodromes, increased reliability, and the lowest carbon emissions,” said Mr Brennan.

Current gold mining clients include Northern Star, Dacian Gold, Red 5, Westgold and Wiluna Gold and as their roster of gold miners grows, so does their commitment to increasing reliability when it comes to transporting workforces around the Goldfields and beyond.

“We recognise that a FIFO worker’s journey starts with their flight, so a positive experience can directly improve morale and lessen fatigue. Initiatives we have taken on this front include the introduction of a mobile check-in application and real-time integration with customer travel and accommodation management systems. We are always looking at ways to improve the passenger experience,” said Mr Brennan.

By prioritising the comfort and convenience of FIFO passengers and clients, Cobham Regional Services has positioned itself as a leading transportation service in the industry.

Operating from its own private terminal, Cobham has the flexibility to support short notice shutdown flying and respond swiftly to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“At Cobham, as we increase our fleet and capacity, we’re focusing on increasing our footprint in the Goldfields,” said Mr Brennan.