A new purpose-built maintenance facility has officially opened at Essendon Fields airport in Melbourne, marking a major investment in Australia's business aviation sector. Textron Aviation recently celebrated the opening of its new Melbourne service centre Essendon Fields with representatives, aviation leaders, customers, industry partners and stakeholders from more than 18 countries.

Located in Hangar 83 on the airport's Southern Apron, the 3,343 sqm facility supports the maintenance, repair and overhaul of Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker aircraft. The expansion increases Textron Aviation's service capability across the Asia Pacific region while reinforcing Essendon Fields' position as one of Australia's leading aviation hubs. The facility also forms part of Essendon Fields' long-term strategy to centralise aviation activity within the main airfield, supporting safer, more efficient operations.

Essendon Fields chief executive officer Brendan Pihan says Textron Aviation's new facility reflects both the evolution of the airport and the strength of the longstanding collaboration between the two organisations: “Essendon Fields airport has evolved significantly over the years, and we've been proud to see businesses like Textron Aviation grow alongside us. Creating an environment where aviation businesses can succeed has always been an important part of our vision, and the addition of Hangar 83 is a great example of that in action. This milestone reflects the continued strength of our aviation community and the role Essendon Fields Airport plays in supporting it.”

“Our new Melbourne service centre represents an important milestone for our Australia support network,” adds Zaki Abu Ghazaleh, general manager, Australia service centres, Textron Aviation. “As customer demand continues to grow, this facility strengthens our ability to provide timely support, greater access to parts and OEM-backed expertise. Essendon Fields Airport has been an important part of our history in Australia, and our new facility positions us to better support customers today while preparing for the opportunities ahead.”

As one of the newest additions to Essendon Fields airport's aviation precinct, Hangar 83 reinforces Melbourne's role in business aviation and creates new opportunities for technical excellence, workforce development and industry engagement. The facility provides a modern environment where technicians can refine specialised skills and support the maintenance needs of a diverse range of aircraft. Together, these capabilities position the service centre to support the continued expansion of business aviation across the region.