Australia’s mining charter business is experiencing good growth again thanks to a rebound in the resource sector.

So says Lee Schofield, the CEO of Brisbane-based charter operator, Alliance Airlines, which has just announced that mining company BHP has extended its contract to provide air charter services to the Nickel West mine in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.

Alliance says BHP has extended its contract by five years for the period 2018-2023.

Nickel West was Alliance’s first contract in Western Australia and has been instrumental to the development of the carrier’s presence in the region, says Schofield.

Alliance says it operates up to 17 charters a week to Nickel West on behalf of BHP. Schofield says Australia’s mining sector is continuing to improve, resulting in a pick up in charter work.