Speaking of rumours, any ideas?
A planned Australian start-up, as yet unnamed, is preparing to commence passenger and cargo services in Nov-08, using E-170, E-190, ATR-72 and A300F aircraft, as revealed exclusively on peanuts.aero.
The airline, currently based in Melbourne, will launch service with four E-190s, followed by one E-170, and plans an extensive network covering Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart and the Gold Coast. While slot allocation has been granted at all destinations, the airline will progressively launch its network, with an initial focus on Sydney, Gold Coast and Melbourne.
The airline stated it plans to deliver a standard of domestic air travel “never experienced before in Australia. And all this on a low fare basis, including complimentary meals and drinks”. The “value for money” , “service-based” approach will see the airline position itself between Qantas and Virgin Blue in the domestic market.
The start-up was registered on 10-Oct-06 as an Australian company, and has investment partners in Germany.
As previously revealed by peanuts.aero, Lion Air, Indonesia’s most successful new entrant airline, plans to commence Australian operations later this year using a six aircraft fleet of extended range B737-900ERs. Lion will hold 49% of the new company, which is to be 51% owned by Australian charter operator, SkyAirWorld.
Initially, Lion Air Australia is looking at international routes, to Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and is considering operating "some" domestic routes, according to SkyAirWorld CEO, David Charlton.
SkyAirWorld was the first operator in Australia to introduce the Embraer-170 jet last year.