Aerocare to create up to 220 New Zealand jobs

Aerocare will support about 5,000 Virgin Australia flights per year from Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown and Dunedin to six international destinations.

Aerocare CEO Glenn Rutherford said the company would create up to 220 new jobs in New Zealand, invest more than $1 million in training and skills development and spend $5 million on specialist aircraft handling equipment.

Subject to the necessary infrastructure being available, Aerocare plans to introduce efficient, environmentally-friendly, electric vehicles wherever possible.

"We are proud to announce that Aerocare has been successful in a competitive tender process to support Virgin Australia's operations in New Zealand, which acknowledged us as best overall in safety, service and operational performance," Mr Rutherford said.

"The New Zealand contract marks a further expansion of Aerocare's long-standing partnership with Virgin Australia.

"Aerocare currently handles Virgin Australia flights from 17 locations in Australia, and with the new services this will grow to 22 locations.

"This contract win will come as welcome news for our high-performing Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown teams, and we look forward to expanding our New Zealand operations with new operations in Christchurch and Dunedin.

"We will work closely with Virgin Australia in new and existing locations to ensure the best possible travel experience and opportunities for the local New Zealand workforce.

"Aerocare has a long history of job creation, with our workforce having tripled from 1,000 to 3,000 in the last three years alone.

"People want to work at Aerocare because we provide interesting and secure work, first class training and some of the best career opportunities in the industry."

Virgin Australia's General Manager Ground Experience, Roger Lindeman, said that "Aerocare has been a partner of Virgin Australia since our very first flight".

"Aerocare was chosen after a rigorous selection process which found the company continues to meet Virgin Australia's very high standards for safety, compliance whilst delivering the exceptional service for which Virgin Australia is renowned," he said.

"Aerocare is the largest ground handler in the Australian and New Zealand region, and Virgin Australia chose them for their excellent service and safety record."

Boeing 737 aircraft are used across the New Zealand service, which Aerocare has extensive experience handling on behalf of Virgin Australia and other carriers.