GAM Air to acquire Alpine Air 1900D converted Superfreighter

By Andrew Curran.

Australian charter airline GAM Air is acquiring a Beechcraft 1900D freighter from Utah’s Alpine Air Express. The transaction is the first time the aircraft converter and cargo carrier has sold a plane to an Australian customer.

“We’re thrilled to share that Alpine Air has entered into a relationship with an Australian company for the purchase of our Superfreighter aircraft,” an April 9 Alpine Air Express social media post reads.

Aero South Pacific has learned that GAM Air is the unidentified Australian company purchasing Alpine’s Superfreighter.

Alpine Air Express's first Australian customer

Aside from holding and maintaining an FAR Part 135 air carrier certificate since 1979, Alpine Air Express has more recently developed their Superfreighter aircraft, a modified 1900D to which they own the supplemental type certificate.

“Alpine has invested five million dollars and over 5,000 man hours to complete this Beechcraft 1900D modification from passenger to a cargo carrier,” the company’s website reads.

“The Alpine Super Freighter mod is a revolutionary feat of engineering, proving everyone wrong when it came to the benefits this modification would entail. Alpine Air can deliver more at a lower cost than ever before. This leads to higher efficiency for us and our clients.”

Specifically, the modified aircraft offers a 40% capacity increase, 23% range increase, and 7% speed increase compared to an industry standard Beechcraft 1900C aircraft.

“Our Superfreighter aircraft have built a strong reputation for reliability and performance in cargo operations, and we’re excited to see them heading to Australia to support freight operations there,” the social media post adds.

An upgrade for GAM Air

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) was founded in 1986 and has since grown into a significant charter operator, with 30 twin-engine passenger and cargo aircraft located at GAM Air’s Bankstown (BWU), Adelaide (ADL), Melbourne (MEB), and Brisbane (BNE) bases.

The company operates Cessna 208Bs, Shrike Commander AC500Ss, Turbo Commanders, and Grand Commander AC680s. These aircraft work private charter, air work, and cargo charters.

Currently, the company is advertising for direct entry 1900D captains “to support upcoming freight operations from our Brisbane Airport base.”

Aero South Pacific has contacted GAM Air for comment.

Photo: Alpine Air Express.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com