HI Aviation involved in Curry-Kenny split up

Whitsundays Online

Long-time Hamilton Island resident, Alan Sweeney, has commenced court proceedings against Curry-Kenny Aviation Holdings (CKAH). Mr Sweeney and CKAH are/were partners in many projects, including Tourism Aviation Holdings (which inluded Hamilton Island Aviation) since 2002.

According to the Courier Mail, Mr Sweeney lodged a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of QLD on Friday, 22 May, seeking almost $2.5 million from CKAH. However, it has been reported that only 3 days later, the 2 major husband-wife owners of CKAH, Grant Kenny and Lisa Curry-Kenny, had separated.

Mr Sweeney sold half of his business (based on Hamilton Island) to Mr and Mrs Kenny in 2002. Mr Sweeney then sold the remaining half of his business to CKAH in November 2007 for a reported $1.4 million ($100,000 deposit, apartment at Mantra Pavillions Mirage in 1770, and Two cash payments of $300,000 and $265,000).

According to Mr Sweeney, he has never taken possesion of the apartment, or the final 2 cash payments.

Mr Sweeney is also seeking the return of his loan/investment in CKAH of $300,000, plus interest; Aircraft cross hire and maintenance costs of almost $650,000, and over $10,000 in leave entitlements. The total amount being sought is around 2.4 million. Mr Sweeney has also sought an order to be released as a guarantor of CKAH given to Westpac.

Mr Sweeney is a very well known and respected local and was Chairman of Tourism Whitsundays for several years until 2006.

Editors note: On the left is a photo of AVTA's office on Hamilton Island, with infamous businessman Rene Rivkin in the centre, and Gordon Wood second from the left.

More in the Courier Mail
Aviation Tourism (AVTA) website