Quality facilities and growth opportunities were key factors in Chopperline’s expansion into Maryborough.

The Caloundra-based flight training school is owned by the Curry Kenny Aviation Group, possibly the largest privately owned aviation company in Australia.

Shawn Kelly, base manager of the Maryborough operations, said that Council was extremely co-operative and helpful in negotiations with Chopperline management.

“Primarily, we saw Maryborough Airport as a great resource which was really under-utilised. We saw the fantastic potential that the facility - and the region as a whole - had to offer,” Mr Kelly said.

Under Chopperline’s lease of the Maryborough airport terminal, it will start with two planes operating full-time but Mr Kelly is confident that number will grow.

He anticipates the majority of his clients will be from other parts of Australia and overseas.

“What will be really beneficial to the community is that we are not recycling money that’s already here. We will be bringing in revenue from outside the region and even outside the country,” he said.

“All of those people are going to need a place to stay, somewhere to eat, be entertained and buy fuel. The flow-on effects for the Fraser Coast will be really good.”