Construction has started on a $100 million private jet base at Melbourne Airport that will create 300 jobs at former Ansett facility

INTERNATIONAL high-flyers jetting into Melbourne for events like the Formula One Grand Prix and Australian Open will have access to a $100 million private jet base.

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CONSTRUCTION of a $100 million luxury jet base at Melbourne Airport is underway.

High profile businessman Paul Little is behind the venture which is expected to create 300 jobs, including 150 during building.

The Little Group is hoping to appeal to up-market travellers flying in to attend major events like the Formula One Grand Prix, the Australian Open and Melbourne Cup.

Melbourne Jet Base will operate 24/7 and boast customer and pilot lounges, a helicopter service to the CBD, hi-tech security features and exclusive customs clearance.

Situated on Ansett’s old engineering and maintenance facility, it is due to open late next year with Asia-Pacific customers a prime target.

Mr Little, the former Essendon FC president, said it had always been his vision to build a world-class private aviation facility at the airport.

“We would like to thank Melbourne Airport and the state government,” he said.

“Both have been fully supportive of this initiative and our world-class facility will offer the ultimate in air travel efficiency and safety, generating significant opportunities for our state.”

Melbourne Airport chief executive Lyell Strambi said the jet base would be spectacular.

“It’s going to be an absolutely amazing facility without a doubt one of the best if not the best in the world of that type of facility,” he said.

Premier Daniel Andrews said Victoria was a world-class destination for tourists and business travellers.

“But it won’t just be passengers benefiting from the Melbourne Jet Base, with the project creating more than 300 new local jobs,” he said.

Mr Little made a fortune through his involvement in transport firm Toll Holdings and in 2011 created residential and commercial property development firm Little Projects.

His group also has Port Phillip Ferries, which runs a service between Docklands and Portarlington.

Mr Little is hoping to introduce a commuter ferry service on the Yarra River between Chapel St and Docklands.

Melbourne Jet Base will operate 24/7 and boast customer and pilot lounges, a helicopter service to the CBD, hi-tech security features and exclusive customs clearance.

Situated on Ansett’s old engineering and maintenance facility, it is due to open late next year with Asia-Pacific customers a prime target.

An artist’s impression of Melbourne Airport terminal upgrade.

Mr Little, the former Essendon FC president, said it had always been his vision to build a world-class private aviation facility at the airport.

“We would like to thank Melbourne Airport and the state government,” he said.

“Both have been fully supportive of this initiative and our world-class facility will offer the ultimate in air travel efficiency and safety, generating significant opportunities for our state.”

Melbourne Airport chief executive Lyell Strambi said the jet base would be spectacular.

“It’s going to be an absolutely amazing facility without a doubt one of the best if not the best in the world of that type of facility,” he said.

Premier Daniel Andrews said Victoria was a world-class destination for tourists and business travellers.

“But it won’t just be passengers benefiting from the Melbourne Jet Base, with the project creating more than 300 new local jobs,” he said.

Mr Little made a fortune through his involvement in transport firm Toll Holdings and in 2011 created residential and commercial property development firm Little Projects.

His group also has Port Phillip Ferries, which runs a service between Docklands and Portarlington.

Mr Little is hoping to introduce a commuter ferry service on the Yarra River between Chapel St and Docklands.

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