Alliance Airlines...Watch this space.
From the September 2002 issue of Australian Aviation
August saw what hopefully will be the launch of two successful carriers in the from of Alliance Airlines and Regional Express. The formers being the rebirth of what remained of Flight West and the latter the reincarnation of a merged Hazelton and Kendell. For the sake of all of us may the live long and propser.
Living long and prospering in the process is something that in aviation industry, regardless of geography or the size of your toys, is often an elusive dream. In this case will have two airlines that are peopled with down to earth personalities more interested in getting the job done rather than big noe themselves. Throw in viable business plans, a sound fleet strategy and hopefully some worthwhile backing and both these airlines have a very good chance to prove their worth.
Alliance has strong support from the aviation minded Queensland Government, some local business involvement and a reliable and experienced chief in Scott McMillan with backing from a team of notable avaition indentities. The airline also operates TWO of the MOST COST EFFICIENT airliners available and with used aircraft prices being what they are nowdays can increase capacity at a fraction of buying new aircraft of similar genre.
You could, for instance, get a fleet of Fokker 100s for the price of a single new equivalent and yet the operational 'end of day' capabilities are little different. What this will allow Alliance to do do is not to have to chase a high per unit utlilisation schedule while configuring its aircraft in a VERY SPACIOUS two class configuration that even sees ECONOMY with a remarkabky generous 34in pitch.
Speculation perhaps, but it is interesting to note that maybe Allaince could be an excellent vehicle for Singapore Airlines to become involved domestically in the vast Australian market. SQ already serves the major cities direct to feed and oncarriage are not the concern to it that it is to some other Star Alliance carriers, such as United, since the demise of Ansett. United has joined Virgin Blue with codeshared feed to Sydney and Melbourne and wouldn't it be interesting to see a cashed up Alliance expanding into many secondary ports carrying a fair percentage of SQ passengers amongst others from the now feed starved Star Alliance.
Alliance could also be an interesting team mate for Virgin Blue with the former operating on codeshare basis on many secondary jet routes that would be marginal with an aircraft as large as a 737. Look at Queensland, Western Australia and across the top end. Out of Darwin, out of Perth and out of Brisbane there could be endless opportunities for Virgin Blue to feed Alliance and vice versa. Like we said, this is purely speculation, but you never know what might follow and you can certainly do a lot with a fleet of Fokker 100s and Brasilias that cost about as much to buy as your average limo!
Watch this space.