EastWest Aviation Pty Ltd (EastWest) is pleased to advise that it is joining forces with Sharp Airlines (Sharp), becoming an equity partner in the Sharp group.

Melbourne based Sharp operates a regional airline servicing Australia’s southern states with a particular focus on Tasmania, the Bass Strait Islands and Western Victoria. Sharp also has a significant charter business, and an air freight business, both operating throughout Australia.

Founded in Hamilton, Victoria 28 years ago by Malcolm Sharp and Peter Sobey, Sharp operates a fleet of ten Fairchild Metro turboprop aircraft (19 passenger), and four Cessna Conquest 441 turboprop aircraft (10 passenger). With over 80 staff spread across a number of operational and maintenance bases, Sharp has a wealth of regional aviation expertise and experience.

EastWest brings additional financial depth to the group. EastWest will also contribute the development work it has undertaken on several potential routes from Melbourne, including Griffith in southern NSW.

Sharp co-founder, Malcolm Sharp said that he “considers that Sharp’s operational base at Melbourne’s Essendon Fields Airport is perfectly positioned to develop into a significant hub for regional airline services. The new partnership with EastWest is designed to ensure Sharp has the capacity to take advantage of this and other opportunities”.