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Maroomba Airlines is looking to grow its operations as demand increases from the WA mineral and resources sector.
The Perth-based charter and FIFO operator, which increased its Dash 8 fleet from four to six aircraft in the past 18 months, carried 94,496 passengers across 3,525 flights in the past year and is planning to add further capacity to its operations.
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According to the airline’s CEO Laura Benger, aviation is “a much more strategic consideration for resources companies than simply transporting workers to and from site”.
“For a major resources operation, aviation is part of the infrastructure that keeps the workforce and the project moving. If a flight is disrupted, the impact can extend quickly through shift changes, accommodation, maintenance schedules and workforce availability,” she said.
“But there is also a very human consequence. The people on our aircraft are trying to get home to their families, and a delay can mean missing a child’s birthday, a school concert or precious time at home after a long roster. That is why reliability matters at both an operational and a personal level.”
Demand is being driven by continued investment in gold, critical minerals and copper projects, said Benger, with FIFO operators also having to deal with changing expectations as competition increases for skilled workers.
“The travel experience is increasingly part of the employee experience. Resources companies know that attracting and retaining people is critical,” she said.
“Reliable schedules, appropriate aircraft and a consistent passenger experience can all contribute to how workers feel about their roster and their employer.”
The carrier is also partnering with new majority Indigenous-owned startup Altura Airlines, which is looking to service the mining, energy, government and regional sectors – initially with Dash 8s from Maroomba before acquiring its own A320 aircraft in 2027.
“We have deliberately invested in capability behind the aircraft as well as in the aircraft themselves,” said Benger.
“For our customers, that depth matters. They need aviation partners that understand the operational pressures they face and have the people, systems and technical capability to respond.
“As the resources sector grows and projects become more remote and complex, we see a significant opportunity for Maroomba to grow with it.”
Maroomba Airlines was named Domestic Airline of the Year – Passenger and Logistics at the 2026 Australian Aviation Awards.
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