From Today's Advocate
Airline expects to soar in July after stalling | The Advocate
GROUNDED Burnie - Melbourne carrier Free Spirit Airlines expects to resume flights in July, managing director Roman Badov says.
Free Spirit stopped its flights several weeks ago, blaming another unnamed airline for allegedly "poaching" its crew.
That sparked a bitter spat between the airline and bigger competitor Regional Express (Rex), which accused Free Spirit of making "scurrilous comments which tarnish our reputation" .Rex also said Free Spirit had averaged only about 2.25 passengers a flight in May and had cancelled about half its flights.
Free Spirit described the figures as "fabrication".
Mr Badov said Free Spirit would recommence operations in July.
Re-launch events were expected.
Free Spirit started its 19-seat Burnie to Melbourne flights in late April.
It recently delayed starting flights between Melbourne and Merimbula, in New South Wales, again citing "poaching" of crew.
In April, Mr Badov said he expected Free Spirit to become profitable within about six months