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Guide · FIFO
FIFO Charter vs Commercial Flights
Moving crews to mine sites in WA and the NT? Here’s how a dedicated FIFO charter compares with scheduled flights — and how to choose.
The short answer
Scheduled flights work well for large crews travelling between major regional airports on busy routes. A FIFO charter wins when you need to fly a small or mid-size crew direct to a remote airstrip, on your own timetable, or at short notice.
Many operations use both: scheduled services for the main roster and charter flights for remote sites, shutdowns, emergency crew changes and site visits.
Side-by-side comparison
| FIFO charter | Commercial flight | |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Departs when your roster needs it | Fixed airline timetable |
| Destination | Direct to the airstrip nearest the site | Major regional airports only, then ground transfer |
| Group size | Ideal for small to mid-size crews | Suits large crews on busy routes |
| Short notice | Aircraft can be arranged within hours, subject to availability | Limited by seat availability |
| Tools and freight | Carried alongside the crew, subject to weight | Standard baggage limits apply |
| Pricing | Quoted per aircraft for the job | Priced per seat |
When a FIFO charter makes sense
Remote sites
No scheduled service to the nearest town, or a long drive from the regional airport to site.
Roster precision
Swing changes that have to happen at a set time so shifts aren’t left short.
Shutdowns and projects
Moving specialist crews for a shutdown or project start without booking dozens of separate seats.
Emergencies
Replacing injured or sick workers, or flying in specialists when equipment breaks down.
Site visits
Management, auditors and VIPs who need to visit multiple sites and be home the same day.
Crew plus freight
Flying tools and urgent parts with the crew in one trip.
Questions to ask a FIFO charter operator
Approvals and safety
Ask about the operator’s Air Operator’s Certificate and safety systems. JFC holds AOC 569166.
Experience in your region
Look for pilots who regularly fly into the region’s airstrips and know its conditions.
Aircraft to match your crew
The right size aircraft for your crew and baggage keeps the job efficient.
Contract and ad hoc options
Check the operator can support both your regular roster and unplanned movements.
FIFO charter FAQs
Yes, subject to the airstrip being suitable for the aircraft and the site owner’s approval. JFC flies to mine strips across WA and the NT.
For regular rosters, plan ahead so aircraft can be scheduled across the program. For urgent movements, call us — aircraft can often be arranged within hours, depending on availability.
Yes. JFC provides both ad hoc and contract FIFO charter services tailored to your roster pattern and crew size.
Every charter is quoted per aircraft for the job, based on route, aircraft, timing and payload. Request a quote with your roster details.
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Plan your FIFO charter program
Tell us your sites, roster pattern and crew sizes and we’ll recommend the right mix of aircraft.