Microflite buys Hobart’s Cambridge Airport, Airlines of Tasmania

By Andrew Curran.

Australian charter business Microflite has acquired Airlines of Tasmania, better known as Par Avion, along with Hobart’s Cambridge Airport (YCBG).

Airlines of Tasmania and Cambridge Airport will continue to operate as independent businesses alongside Moorabbin Airport (MBW)-based Microflite Aviation.

Microflite Aviation CEO Rodney Higgins said this structure would allow each business to “clearly focus on their own unique operations”.

Microflite Aviation is an established helicopter and fixed-wing charter, airwork, and training business with a fleet of 23 helicopters and three Pilatus PC-12s. Its aircraft work in aerial firefighting, search and rescue, emergency management, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.

According to Higgins, Airlines of Tasmania, Cambridge Airport, and Microflite Aviation will operate under a newly established entity called the Microflite Group, with Higgins serving as CEO.

“This is a really positive and exciting step,” Higgins said. “We’re making sure we’re well positioned for the future.”

Two separate transactions over a 12 month period

Microflite Aviation acquired Cambridge Airport and Par Avion in two separate transactions, purchasing the airport in late 2024 and Par Avion in latter 2025. However, the transactions were kept under wraps until late last week.

Until acquired by Microflite, Cambridge Airport was owned by Airlines of Tasmania, which in turn was owned by the Hobart-based Wells family.

While the specific terms of the transactions were not disclosed, Aero South Pacific understands the vendors were satisfied with the outcome.

Par Avion is best known for its scenic flights over Tasmania’s south-west wilderness and for transporting bushwalkers at the end of multi-day treks. Until recently, it also operated a flight training school at Cambridge Airport, which Wells purchased in 1992.

Cambridge was Hobart’s primary airport until the current Hobart Airport (HBA) opened in 1956. Today, Cambridge serves as the city’s general aviation airport and is home to firefighting and search and rescue aircraft, as well as Par Avion’s base of operations.

The 45-hectare site was placed on the market in 2024, with selling agents promoting its “potential for industrial subdivision, further aviation development, or a combination of both”.

The site includes four hangars, supplementary office space, two runways, taxiways, aircraft parking areas, and above-ground aviation fuel facilities.

Under the original sale terms, Cambridge Airport was offered subject to a short-term leaseback arrangement.

New aircraft plans for Par Avion

While Par Avion closed its training school following the airport sale, Aero South Pacific also understands that Microflite Aviation is interested in re-establishing the facility, although it is yet to decide on the best approach.

Microflite Aviation purchased the airport intending to keep it operational and use it as a base to expand its own operations, although the site also offers substantial land-use opportunities.

The family-owned company is also evaluating new aircraft for Par Avion, aware that the time is approaching to move on the aging Cessna 404s and Britten Norman Islanders. While no decisions have been made, they are close to announcing new aircraft to modernise the fleet.

Aero South Pacific has approached Microflite for further details regarding its plans for Par Avion and Cambridge Airport.

Microflite is also taking the opportunity to reshape its original business, giving Microflite Engineering, Microflite Training, and Microflite ISR their own brand identities and allowing them to grow as stand-alone business units.

Photo: Par Avion.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com