Melbourne Jet Base is a $100m luxury pad for high flyers
With hotel-style suites, a concierge, luxury gate lounge, limousine access and no aviation curfew, Melbourne’s $100 million private airport base is proving popular with the jet set crowd.
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What cost $100 million and has hosted the likes of members of the British royal family, heads of state as well as global entertainment superstars?
The answer is Melbourne Jet Base — a luxury airport terminal with hotel-style suites catering for VIP customers arriving on private jets.
Located on Melbourne Airport land, the facility was opened last September by former Toll Holdings boss Paul Little, who turned developer and investor, and who’s reported wealth is more than $1 billion.
Mr Little said he was inspired to build the base after travelling the world on private jets while running the Toll transport global logistics empire.
“These sorts of facilities are usually operated from old hangars or spaces that no one else really wants to use, and they’re tarted up with a coat of paint, some carpet on the floor, and that’s about it,” he said.
“We decided we’d build the best corporate jet facility anywhere in the world.”
Designed by Cox Architecture, the centre features a concierge, customs service, lounge facilities, accommodation, and a limousine service to the CBD using Lexus vehicles.
Little Group operations director Murray Rance said that confidentiality and security were key.
“Private people who own their own aircraft, including celebrities, government officials and corporate CEOs can come into Melbourne Jet Base and get out without the public seeing them,” he said.
“Top tennis players come through here, we’ve had US basketball stars, we’ve had rock stars come through.”
Melbourne Jet Base is also popular for major events like the Formula One Grand Prix, Chinese New Year and the Spring Racing Carnival.
The jet base competes with Essendon Airport, but has key advantages such as 24/7 access with no curfew, a 50% longer and therefore safer runway, and airport based firefighting and rescue services.
Leading industry expert and principal of SMS Aircraft, Gary Svensen, said that unlike Essendon Airport, Melbourne Jet Base at Tullamarine allows aircraft to carry sufficient fuel to enable non-stop flights to cities like Los Angeles.
“Owners of long range corporate jets do not want to be bound by local curfew restrictions and therefore this is a significant advantage for clients of Melbourne Jet Base,” he said.
“This facility is by far and away the best in the world.”
“You can get out of your private aeroplane at Melbourne Jet Base, seamlessly pass through customs and security and into the convenience of an underground car park, all the time maintaining total confidentiality.”
Crown Casino has offices and parks its three jets at the base.
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