Government of Timor-Leste

On 31 January 2025, the 9th Constitutional Government witnessed the signing of an agreement between the oil company Santos Limited and Webstar-GAP Aviation, aimed at guaranteeing the mobility of workers to the Bayu Undan platform. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and the Minister of Trade and Industry of Timor-Leste and the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Abdul Aziz, as well as the heads of Timor GAP and the National Petroleum Authority, among other representatives of various organizations. 

Under this agreement, signed by Santos' Executive Vise-President for Northern and Western Australia and East Timor, Vince Santostefano, and the Director of Webstar-GAP Aviation, Syed Muhamad Azi Azman, two helicopters will be made available to transport workers to the oil platform.

Webstar-GAP Aviation is a subsidiary of TIMOR GAP, E.P., which holds a 45% stake, in partnership with Webstar Aviation Service, a subsidiary of the Malaysian Webstar Group, which specializes in helicopter services for the oil and gas industry. 

The President of TIMOR GAP, EP, Rui Soares, described the agreement as historic, emphasizing its significant positive impact on the oil industry and its role in ensuring the active participation of Timorese professionals in the aviation sector.

The Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, highlighted the importance of this agreement in promoting economic cooperation between Timor-Leste, Malaysia and Australia and also emphasized the potential for greater collaboration between Timor-Leste and Malaysia in the oil and gas sector, strengthening private sector partnerships between both nations. 

The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, also emphasized the importance of the partnership between Santos and Webstar-GAP Aviation for the growth of the petroleum sector and strengthens collaboration between Timor-Leste and Malaysia, in line with Malaysia's support for Timor-Leste's membership of ASEAN.

Webstar-GAP Aviation will establish its operational base in Covalima, given the commercial viability and logistical efficiency of the location. The public company is optimistic about its ability to guarantee professional engineering, piloting and logistical support, with the aim of managing the subsidiary independently within the next five years.

Webstar-GAP Aviation currently operates with Webstar's equipment and skilled resources, including several Timorese professionals previously employed by the company, which has been operating in East Timor for more than two decades. The company is committed to the gradual transfer of responsibilities to Timorese professionals, some of whom are already receiving specialized aviation training.