Workers take flight

AS THE sun rose yesterday the region's first fly-in-fly-out service departed Kingaroy airport.

Nine workers took off on the Beechcraft B-200 King Air, headed to Butlers Airstrip in South Australia's Cooper Basin, 1500km away.

Locally based business Global Engineering and Construction is the first company to incorporate FIFO services into its operations from the Kingaroy airport.

Flights will depart each fortnight swapping crew shifts in South Australia and Queensland.

Managing director Lachlan Perry said using FIFO services was a logical decision for the company.

"FIFO offers a cost effective solution to transport logistics," he said.

"It is much easier to manage and optimise on the time we have our guys on the ground working.

"It means our guys are able to spend less time travelling and more time at home."

He said the central position of Kingaroy and its airport facilities gave way to great potential for further FIFO services.

"Kingaroy provides ideal logistical placement for servicing this booming industry and we are both fortunate and grateful to have the support of local service providers and skilled tradesman in our network," he said.

Pick up a copy of today's South Burnett Times for the full story and comment from the mayor and our local state member.