Cobham : Wins Gold Fields Australia Contract, Adds New FIFO Services to Two More Western Australian Mining Sites

News Release

28 July 2014

PERTH, Australia - Cobham has been awarded a four year contract by one of Australia's largest gold producers - Gold Fields Australia - to provide fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) services to its Granny Smith and Darlot mining sites in Western Australia.
The contract, which begins in August 2014 and runs until late 2018, involves conducting six return flights per week using jet aircraft capable of operating on gravel runways.
Cobham is introducing an 82 seat RJ-85 jet for the first time in Australia, which it will equip with unique gravel kit capability to provide a faster, more efficient service to Granny Smith and Darlot. The RJ-85 jet will increase the number of workers transported to site in one flight, while reducing the duration of the flight time and the number of services required in a week.
"Replacing our turboprop services with jet services represents great value for money and will increase efficiencies as it enables us to consolidate our FIFO schedule and still travel direct to our sites with gravel runways, while increasing passenger comfort," Gold Fields Australia Executive Vice President, Richard Weston said.
Cobham's General Manager Regional Services Ryan Both said the contract award was consistent with the Business Unit's strategy to organically grow in the Australian FIFO market.
"Cobham is the only aviation service provider in Australia capable of operating jet aircraft
to gravel runways and this contract award reflects the market that exists for these services in the resource sector," Mr Both said.

Ref: #512

National Jet Express Pty Ltd trading as Cobham Aviation Services

www.cobham.com

News Release

Cobham introduced gravel kit capability for BAe146 and RJ series aircraft in Australia to enable resource companies to upgrade to jet aircraft services for transporting workers to sites operating with gravel runways. This service significantly reduces travel time to site with a superior passenger experience compared to current turboprop aircraft.

Cobham protects lives and livelihoods with its differentiated technology and know-how, operating with a deep insight to customer needs, and agility. The Group offers an innovative range of technologies and services to solve challenging problems across commercial, defence and security markets, from deep space to the depths of the ocean. It has market leading positions in air-to-air refueling; aviation services; audio, video and data communications, including satellite communications; defence electronics; life support and mission equipment. The most important thing Cobham builds is trust.

Cobham Aviation Services provides specialist aviation solutions to defence, government and commercial customers under long-term performance-based contracts. This includes operating commercial passenger and freight aircraft in Australia for airline and resource industry clients, undertaking special mission operations for the Australian Government, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, and NATO, and delivering world class helicopter operations, training and support services. With a combined fleet of over 130 fixed and rotary wing aircraft, Cobham Aviation Services is a trusted partner worldwide.
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Greg Caires

+1 703 414 5310

greg. caires@cobham.com

Julian Wais

+44 (0) 1202 857998

julian.wais@cobham.com

Ref: #512

National Jet Express Pty Ltd trading as Cobham Aviation Services

www.cobham.com

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