Fly Tiwi

Fly Tiwi is an Australian airline based in Darwin, Northern Territory, offering scheduled passenger services between the Northern Territory capital and communities located on the Tiwi, South Goulburn and Croker islands, as well as a number of remote Arnhem Land communities and the town of Tennant Creek. The company is wholly owned by the Hardy Aviation group, Australia's largest general aviation company and was founded in 2008 in association with the Tiwi Land Council and now operates over 50 flights per week between 9 destinations.^[1]

History

Schedules services under the 'Fly Tiwi' brand commenced in November 2008, offering flights on routes between Darwin and Nguiu on Bathurst Island and connecting Darwin with Pirlangimpi and Milikapiti on Melville Island several times per day. In January 2009 a third route was added providing daily services to South Goulburn Island and the community of Minjilang on Croker Island, and in May began services to Ramingining three times per week, adding a fifth route to Gapuwiyak twice per week in early 2010.^[1] On 29 June 2010, Fly Tiwi inaugurated services to Tennant Creek twice per week.^[2] According to the Fly Tiwi website, this service has increased to three times weekly as of 2012.

Fly Tiwi is a major sponsor of the Tiwi Islands Football Club (Tiwi Bombers), providing air transport for the team to travel to Darwin to compete in the Northern Territory Football League competition since 2010.^[3]

In February 2012, Fly Tiwi was one of a number of aviation companies that participated with the Northern Territory Police in 'Operation Bristol', a crackdown on the trafficking of illegal drugs to remote communities which resulted in the seizure of cannabis and kava with an estimated street value of over $300,000.^[4]

Destinations

As of 2012, Fly Tiwi offers services to the following destinations:

• Darwin
• Gapuwiyak (Lake Evella)
• Milikapiti (Snake Bay)
• Minjilang
• Nguiu
• Pirlangimpi
• Ramingining
• Tennant Creek
• Warruwi

Flights to and from Darwin International Airport operate out of a dedicated Fly Tiwi terminal located adjacent to the General Aviation apron.

Fleet

Fly Tiwi scheduled flights are operated using aircraft drawn from Hardy Aviation's fleet of 30. Typically, twin piston engine, 10 seat Cessna 402 and 404 types are used for regular services. The fleet also includes pressurised Fairchild Metro and Cessna 441s, used for longer routes including Tennant Creek, as well as a number of smaller types that can operate charters for Fly Tiwi. ^[5]

References

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