I didn't see this coming - off the online news this afternoon...
Plans for new Australian airline
AUSTRALIANS could soon enjoy more choice when it comes to domestic travel, after a US airline announced plans to introduce another domestic carrier.
Regional US airline Expressjet is hoping to strike a deal with an existing Australian carrier to operate regional flights by the end of 2008.
Expressjet executive director Asia Ian Vanderbeek said discussions have taken place with a number of airlines.
The company is hoping to introduce a similar business model to its US operations, which sees more than 200 of its Embraer 145 jets flying under the Continental Airlines brand, and a further 18 under Delta Airlines.
However, Mr Vanderbeek said if no existing carrier agrees a deal, Expressjet would look to build a fleet of 20 aircraft in the local market and launch flights under its own brand.
"Embraer jets will operate on longer, thinner routes, which will complement existing carriers' route networks, which are currently under developed.
"There's a role for this model with all existing carriers. It's a question of how they perceive this sort of operation working," Mr Vanderbeek said.
Expressjet hope to make an announcement within the next six months.