Qantaslink is the biggest regional is AUS with the newest and fastest planes and the deepest pockets. REX is only slightly smaller than Qlink with 50 Saabs and it has lower costs than any sizeable regional in AUS.
Both operators are highly profitable and they are constantly on the lookout for possible opportunities to deploy any excess capacity. Other smaller operators, including those operating Dash 8-100's, have very limited capacity to contest existing markets against Qlink and REX.
If there are 'real' opportunities in the market for mid to large size (34+ seats) regional RPT work, one or both of these operators will look at it!!
Both are at the 'top of the tree' in terms of 'boat driver' employment conditions and BOTH have lost large numbers of skilled pilots moving on to Jet operators. Any experienced pilots remaining in GA who don't get a gig with DJ, JQ, etc, and don't want to fly for the RFDS, would find more secure and better paid work with either of these operators than a new start-up
Qlink and REX control the majority of regional slots in SYD for the all important morning and evening daily business(men/women) 'peak' services, although there may be slot capacity in in other Capitals.
Establishing alternative business models, such as flying between secondary airports, would (and in the future perhaps will) require massive funding in order to withstand the inevitable losses necessary before travellers (particularly business) change their thinking. So this is not territory for a new startup to explore unless they want to turn a large fortune into a smaller one - before they withdraw!! REMEMBER - aeroplanes are tools for making money!!
Given these facts it is very difficult to see how a new entrant could fund any kind of serious business plan to contest money making 34+ seats turboprop markets.
Conspiracy theorists who think the AD might be a stalking horse for an existing jet operator to start 'boat' operations, think again. Qantas/Jeststar have Qlink and NJS to feed them and the 'other' Jet operator is scratching to make a respectable profit, with NO spare cash to successfully fund such a clandestine venture.
Anyway, the job advertisement is a very amateurish effort which seems to have been written by someone more hopeful than able.
The Oracle!
Last edited by THE ORACLE; 13th Dec 2010 at 23:40.