The company commenced operations as Golden Eagle Aviation Pty Ltd in Port Hedland in April 1990 operating a twin engine Piper Twin Comanche to carry out aircraft charter. In those days Keith Russell was Chief Pilot/Manager and Mary Russell carried out some administrative and marketing duties on a part time basis. 

In 1992, business had grown to the point where we acquired a second aircraft and a second pilot. The business carried on doing ad hoc aircraft charter until 1994 when a number of significant changes occurred. 

In November 1994 we commenced aircraft ground handling operations for Qantas/Airlink and became air cargo agents for Australian air Express.  

Early in 1995 we commenced low capacity RPT operations from Port Hedland to Marble Bar, Woodie Woodie and Telfer on a charter basis using a Beechcraft Baron. This arrangement continued until August of the same year when we were awarded a contract to service this route on a Regular Public Transport basis using a Piper Navajo, which we purchased from the RFDS in Alice Springs. During this period we continued to carry out ad hoc charter in addition to the twice-weekly RPT service.  

During 1996 we commenced flying RFDS clinic flights on a shared basis with other operators in the area. Early in 1997 after satisfying the RFDS that we could meet their requirements, we were awarded a contract to fly all of the RFDS clinic flights in the Pilbara Region. 

Late in 1996 we took steps to introduce training and checking system in the company to support the business as it grows. During 1997 CASA approved our training and checking system and Keith Russell was approved to be the company Check and Training Captain.  

As a result of the Newman to Port Hedland RPT route being dropped by Ansett and subsequently Skywest Airlines, and at the request of the East Pilbara Shire and the WA Department of Transport, we ceased operations from Port Hedland to Marble Bar, Woodie Woodie and Telfer and commenced RPT operations between Newman, Marble Bar and Port Hedland in June 1997. We acquired the Piper Chieftain from the RFDS in Adelaide to service this route. This service was subsidised by the East Pilbara Shire and the Department of Transport, however, due to the poor loadings, we ceased the service in May 1998.  

Early in 1998, after meeting stringent audit requirements, we received approval to be able to carry BHP Iron Ore personnel when their primary contractor Pearl Aviation is unable to service BHP's requirements.  

In April 1999, we were awarded the Australian air Express agency in Karratha. We now provide courier services on behalf of Australian air Express in both Port Hedland and Karratha. In addition to this, Australian air Express was awarded the Australia Post Contract in July of 1999 and we provide line haul services to carry mail on a daily basis between Port Hedland, Roebourne, Wickham and Karratha.  

In January 2000, we employed a Chief Engineer and established an aircraft maintenance business, which is desperately needed in the Pilbara region.  

In January 2001 we were awarded a contract to provide RASS service to the communities south of Kununurra. In the following month we also were awarded a contract to provide a mail service to the communities west of Kununurra.  

In September 2001, a number of changes occurred in our business. We took on the operation of the aircraft charter services based in Derby that were previously operated by Aerial Enterprises. At the same time, Ansett Australia ceased to operate and Qantas commenced services into Port Hedland on a twice-daily basis. We employed the majority of the ex-Ansett staff and we are now handling all Qantas flights into Port Hedland.

September 2001 was also the time that we commenced providing aircraft charter services for the Broome Magistrate which we have continued to carry out to date.  

Since late 2003 we have been providing the RPT services between Derby and Broome on behalf of Skippers Aviation. On 1 July 2004, we started RPT services between the communities of Port Hedland, Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek in our own right.  

To date Golden Eagle Airlines has continued to grow and as a company Golden Eagle Airlines is about to experience further growth and expansion as we enter into a new era of management and corporate governance.