In response to zigzags post; because none of them are operating high capacity RPT operations.
Fact - the AAE (NJS) 727's are responsible for 90% of the noise complaints at MEL and BNE. They would have been phased out by now but for the lack of an immediate alternative.
Just as with the OZJet 737-200's they are chapter 3 compliant by aggragate only - that is, across the 3 phases of measurement they comply, but fail individually. Chapter 3 compliance in Australia is at each point; these current aircraft operate, and OZJet will be allowed to operate, because the legislation to boot them all out was delayed following Ansett's collapse and the industry upheaval following 9/11. All these current dinosaurs will be required to leave the country once Chapter 4 is adopted.
And Bentleigh is right - these 737's have been banned from nightflights in Europe - hence their introduction down here.
They may have an AOC, but they aren't an airline. You who have worked hard for your qualifications, and who suffer so unmercifully in this harsh competitive environment must understand that this is going to further destabilise the local aviation market and put more pressure on your salaries and standards of employment. And all for what? So this Stoddart (who already has a poor reputation in Europe) can take advantage of a cheap and cheerful opportunity that we all know in our heart of hearts is not sustainable on the Australian domestic trunk routes. It will hurt QF, it will hurt
VB, and eventually it will destroy the aspirations of its own employees as it implodes because the model is basically bankrupt. Remember (and you engineers should know) old jets can be made safe, but only heaps and heaps of money and time can make them reliable. Any claims Stoddart makes about being low-cost because he is not paying aircraft rentals is absolutely drowned out in the exponential costs he will have to contribute to maintain reliability. And if there is one thing that he is known for in Europe it is that he does the bear minimum of maintenance requirements. You can get away with it as a charter airline - you cant get away with it on the 3rd busiest domestic air route in the world!
Saying OZJet is an airline is like saying Mindardi is a Formula 1 team!