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Blitzkrieger
22nd Dec 2013, 06:22
I hear Cobham are keen on buying Air North.

jarden
22nd Dec 2013, 06:53
Interesting, shame Qantas does not want to buy them would make a good fit in their network.

Goat Whisperer
22nd Dec 2013, 08:05
Buying airlines wouldn't fit with Alan's "we'll be rooned!" narrative.

Flying Meat Cleaver
22nd Dec 2013, 08:52
Alan might not want to buy anymore, but what if he wants the sub-contractors to! That way he can get the flying done, keeping market share, and doing it cheaper than using mainline! Just a thought.

FMC.

C441
22nd Dec 2013, 09:46
Interesting, shame Qantas does not want to buy them would make a good fit in their network.

You never know. Alan might buy them on......Impulse. ;)

Stationair8
22nd Dec 2013, 09:52
Now will the E-190's go on the Capitec AoC, or will the E-170's go on the Virgin AoC?
Will the E-120 be replaced by ATR's?
But what does one do with the M23's?

Berealgetreal
22nd Dec 2013, 19:39
If my memory serves me correctly, the very first thing Borghetti did when he joined was to get rid of the E170. I remember attending an early roadshow and his words on the matter were reasonably clear....

The Green Goblin
22nd Dec 2013, 21:17
Might finally get that EBA sorted :)

Prince Niccolo M
23rd Dec 2013, 04:40
So far we slipped from Cobham to QF to Virgin being interested. For many years, Cobham had a "no airlines" policy as the Brits were only really interested in Coastwatch. They lived with the FIFO and Airlink bits under sufferance - I wonder if that's changed or if Airnorth is even available?


It would be an interesting test of due diligence for any buyer, methinks... :eek: :eek: :eek:

Cirronimbus
23rd Dec 2013, 08:18
or Pearl could buy them and get their contract work back.......

The Green Goblin
23rd Dec 2013, 12:35
Well if the paspaley clan are after a write off, you can't beat aircraft on the ground with crew not working :)

Why would they spend any more money?

Hour for hour, they'd have to be the best paid drivers in Austraya ;)

ITCZ
1st Jan 2014, 15:08
There might have been some casual interest, but Cobham buying Airnorth is a bit 'out there'. They may both be operators of narrow body RPT jets, but they have very different business models.

Airnorth is an airline, that makes money by offering tickets to the public.

Cobham's aussie businesses are like its UK and worldwide cousins - businesses that won't supply anything unless they have a long term, 500+ page thick contract, usually tightly integrated with one (maybe two) specialised customer(s).

B717 = a 5 year multimillion $$ contract with a single customer (QF) following 22 years of 146/717 regional rpt.
BAe146 to Moomba,
BAe146 night freight Australian Air Express,
LADS.
FIFO in WA.
Coastwatch = Sentinel contract with the federal government.

Cobham managers would be mindful of the possible effect on the group share price if it moves away from what Cobham does best (single customer, tightly integrated, multi million $, long term contracts) and tries to sell tickets to thousands of consumers at a couple hundred bucks a pop.

I can't see it - but stranger things have happened!

Marauder
1st Jan 2014, 21:13
Maybe Air North buying Cobham.

It's principal always was the Minnow swallowing the Whale

Icarus2001
16th Jan 2014, 09:40
Any more on this little beauty?

smiling monkey
7th Aug 2019, 04:01
Resurrecting an old thread, but apparently Air North is now up for sale and with first round bids due by the end of this week.

https://www.afr.com/street-talk/auction-underway-for-bankrupt-bristow-group-s-australian-airline-20190805-p52dul

My guess is that Rex and Alliance would place bids. Thoughts anyone?

Mr Google Head
7th Aug 2019, 05:06
Resurrecting an old thread, but apparently Air North is now up for sale and with first round bids due by the end of this week.

https://www.afr.com/street-talk/auction-underway-for-bankrupt-bristow-group-s-australian-airline-20190805-p52dul

My guess is that Rex and Alliance would place bids. Thoughts anyone?

maybe Virgin? Get the foot in the door for a smaller jet for those regional routes? 😂

Blueskymine
7th Aug 2019, 06:16
Considering qantas have 20% in an operator plying virgins regional routes, it’d make sense for virgin to buy TL which is a QF codeshare partner :)

Plus of course virgin could put the parked up 190s straight to work.

Lapon
7th Aug 2019, 07:18
Maybe nobody wants it and it gets wound up?
For the guys and girls on the payroll I hope not :uhoh:

Reggy Stirred Yuza
7th Aug 2019, 09:30
Wouldnt mind betting buyer would want the AOC and not the airframes. Milk run down the centre is not likely to be a good earner. Leave that for Rex. M23 are not doing much, E170s mostly leased anyway. What would you do with the Braz? Going to be interesting.

PoppaJo
7th Aug 2019, 09:49
Virgins days of spending are over. All projects have been put on hold. Adding another headache and loss making entity to the mix is far of his agenda at the moment which is stop the endless capital spending.

industry insider
7th Aug 2019, 12:52
It will be a tough sell with just a few old Turboprops and some leased E Jets. Bristow may have to give Air North away. There is enough capacity in the marketplace to take over the routes, take on and re train the crews as required.

I wonder if Air North will come with a £17.1m cash gift like Eastern Airways in the UK?

https://www.oilandgaspeople.com/news/18594/exclusive-bristow-helicopters-offloads-loss-making-eastern-airways-to-previous-owner/

Mr Google Head
8th Aug 2019, 02:16
Maybe the previous owners will come back in?

topend3
8th Aug 2019, 02:25
Maybe Cobham will put a bid in

tio540
8th Aug 2019, 14:34
Bristow should sell bottled water.

F.Nose
10th Aug 2019, 07:21
Bristow should sell bottled water.

And qualify for a $10m NT Gov subsidy, wind up the water company within 18 months with absolutely no accountability or recourse.
Great business plan! It’s a wonder nobody has thought of it before. 😉

tio540
10th Aug 2019, 11:44
And qualify for a $10m NT Gov subsidy, wind up the water company within 18 months with absolutely no accountability or recourse.
Great business plan! It’s a wonder nobody has thought of it before. 😉

Then get $400 million for a ship lift....

Gotta love the N.T. Labor government.

smiling monkey
13th Aug 2019, 10:57
Looks like Rex is not interested in buying Air North.

"Mr Sharp said part of Rex's reasoning for knocking back a bid for Airnorth was due to its "culture". "
"When you buy a business you also inherit its culture and its practices ... and sometimes its actually easier to start from the ground up," Mr Sharp said.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-13/airnorth-future-in-doubt-as-rex-signals-move-into-nt-routes/11406282

Chocks Away
13th Aug 2019, 14:29
Amen, Smiling Monkey... blind Freddy could have told anyone that and it's great that it's finally out in the open.
It wasn't only the Bristow "Fixed Wing" Manager's ineptiude but alot of the office management @ ScareNorth that required "Don't Come Monday" letters!
Sadly, a once great Regional operator is on it's knees and in question.

Nice quick move by Babcock with a couple of fresh looking "whirly-birds" in Karratha, after Bristow packed up two of it's Pumas. What happened there?

Icarus2001
14th Aug 2019, 02:29
The CP probably cannot believe his luck.

gordonfvckingramsay
14th Aug 2019, 03:54
Mr Sharp said part of Rex's reasoning for knocking back a bid for Airnorth was due to its "culture".

That can’t bode well for any aviation company for sale right now then, can’t think of a single one with a good culture.

WannaBeBiggles
14th Aug 2019, 22:13
That can’t bode well for any aviation company for sale right now then, can’t think of a single one with a good culture.

I can't see where they said it was a bad culture...
When a company hires an individual they will look whether the person will fit into and thrive in that companies' culture. Same could be said of acquiring an entire company.

gordonfvckingramsay
14th Aug 2019, 22:53
You are correct, I made an assumption. I doubt there are many companies who would pass up an opportunity to acquire another company with a good culture though. As for whether it fit with your existing culture, it hasn’t stopped many corporate takeovers before.

ebt
16th Aug 2019, 07:16
Why bother buying an operation when you can wait for it to collapse and step in and do it on your own anyway without paying a premium? Rex doesn't want to deal with E-Jets, but they sense opportunity in the EMB-120 ops, albeit opportunity that they would use Saab 340s on.

rep
16th Aug 2019, 07:33
Saab 340s in the NT. Complete disaster.

Ladloy
16th Aug 2019, 08:53
Saab 340s in the NT. Complete disaster.
Why would that be the case?

topend3
16th Aug 2019, 09:56
Agree they operate them to hot locations in WA and other states so can’t see why NT would be an issue

Blueskymine
17th Aug 2019, 07:09
When the competition is running air conditioned Brasilias, it doesn’t take long for word to spread around the communities.

The only way a Saab will be successful in the NT is if the incumbent stops flying.

Ask Vincent how their Saab operation went in the NT. It sank them. Along with 1900s competing with metros.

Arthur D
17th Aug 2019, 08:38
Unfortunately I think it will take more than air conditioned sh1tboxes to save Air North.

The vultures are circling, I would get out whilst the going is good.....

Blueskymine
17th Aug 2019, 08:42
Unfortunately I think it will take more than air conditioned sh1tboxes to save Air North.

The vultures are circling, I would get out whilst the going is good.....

Well the competition could run the turboprop services at a loss to starve out the incumbent before taking over. They’ve got a pretty big network to spread the losses over.

Airnorth do have jets though so they may give away the feeder operation and focus on the bigger stuff.

Interesting times either way.

aviation_enthus
17th Aug 2019, 10:20
Rex vs Vincent is not a realistic comparison.

Yes they both run/ran Saabs, but Rex invest a reasonable amount of money in ground equipment for their RPT network. Every port in North Queensland has ground power and air conditioning units. From personal experience it keeps the cabin cool and the passengers happy. I actually found the A/C in the Saab better than the Dash 8 on account of the two A/C packs once the engines where running. Not sure what the Bras has.

I don’t think Rex will build a network specifically to take down another competitor. They’ve never done this anywhere else on their network. If the NT government and the various communities are open to Rex starting service (reasonable access charges, etc), then I’d put my money on them expanding up there eventually. When Skytrans went under in NQ, some of the councils/communities were openly hostile to Rex flying to their towns. Hence they just walked away and chased work elsewhere in Australia (WA).

belly tank
24th Aug 2019, 04:50
Amen, Smiling Monkey... blind Freddy could have told anyone that and it's great that it's finally out in the open.
It wasn't only the Bristow "Fixed Wing" Manager's ineptiude but alot of the office management @ ScareNorth that required "Don't Come Monday" letters!
Sadly, a once great Regional operator is on it's knees and in question.

Nice quick move by Babcock with a couple of fresh looking "whirly-birds" in Karratha, after Bristow packed up two of it's Pumas. What happened there?

Babcock won a longterm contract for Santos supplying 2 x AW139's for offshore operations from YKTA.

smiling monkey
6th Sep 2019, 23:53
Any updates on potential buyers for Air North?

werbil
25th Oct 2019, 07:48
VH-ANF appears to have had it's livery painted over and according to Flight aware is currently enroute to Senai / Jahor Bahru in Malaysia. Anyone got any goss?

Stationair8
25th Oct 2019, 08:07
I believe it is heading off to be scrapped.

Duck Pilot
25th Oct 2019, 09:23
Scrapped? It’s only 15 years old according to the propaganda that I got out of the google machine, maybe off lease or sold?

What kind of hours and cycles would it have?

wheels_down
25th Oct 2019, 12:08
Certainly not flown as hard as some loco’s here, but they are costly to fix in general day to day operations. Virgin and JetBlue walked away due to engineering reasons.

If it’s a case of what I assume is non existent maintenance or just neglect in general then it’s probably cheaper to buy a new one.

VH DSJ
29th May 2020, 09:14
Air North seems to be back on its feet again. Do they have new owners?

Duck Pilot
29th May 2020, 10:10
Might be a few highly experienced pilots around now who would be willing to move to Darwin and fly a Metro!!!!

Never flown anything with a Garret in it, however it’s inviting - at least they go fast......

B772
29th May 2020, 11:26
Was VH-ANF scrapped ?. What does the existing Airnorth fleet consist of ?

Duck Pilot
29th May 2020, 11:48
According to Flight Radar 24 they still have quite a few aircraft operating throughout the NT, WA and QLD.

E-Jets and Braz's, the Metro's are still parked up in Darwin.

industry insider
30th May 2020, 05:25
TL has secured some short term charter work for the resources industry which is keeping it busy. TL's 4 E Jets are quite busy.

Icarus2001
30th Mar 2021, 07:56
So the Townsville refueller said that an Ejet is out of action at Airnorth for a while so another Ejet operator is jumping into the breach..

Going Nowhere
30th Mar 2021, 09:26
Alliance have been covering for Air North out of both DRW and WTB (Wellcamp) for quite a while now

Gne
31st Mar 2021, 06:06
So the Townsville refueller said that an Ejet is out of action at Airnorth for a while so another Ejet operator is jumping into the breach..
Is that why the Air Kiribati jet has not doe a run to Tarawa for a while?

Assumption
31st Mar 2021, 18:36
PHI should buy Air North from the sowing dying Bristow

Climb150
31st Mar 2021, 21:48
Certainly not flown as hard as some loco’s here, but they are costly to fix in general day to day operations. Virgin and JetBlue walked away due to engineering reasons.

If it’s a case of what I assume is non existent maintenance or just neglect in general then it’s probably cheaper to buy a new one.

JetBlue will have been operating the 190 for 20 years when they get phased out. There was no walking away.

dijical
8th Apr 2021, 01:52
Metros on the move.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHANY

Stationair8
9th Apr 2021, 06:23
Word on the street, is that they have been purchased by Sharp Airlines.

barbados sky
9th Apr 2021, 07:10
PHI should buy Air North from the sowing dying Bristow

Why? There is nothing much to buy.

The TL contract with an oil and gas company finishes soon which will hurt TL revenue badly. Most of the routes TL flies with the 170s can be serviced by QF/Alliance/ Vara which could further hurt.

havick
9th Apr 2021, 07:45
PHI should buy Air North from the sowing dying Bristow

Bristow is already dead.

LostProperty
12th Apr 2021, 01:23
The first of Alliance's E190s that I've seen, VH-UYZ, turned up at Wellcamp on Saturday and flew Air North's weekend schedule to MEL return on both Sat and Sun as well as an overnight to CNS. Aircraft went back to BNE late Sun and returned this morning before going to TSV. According to Flight Aware it is going to DRW later today. As mentioned by another poster, Alliance have been running Air North's weekend schedule out of Wellcamp for a couple of months using F70s. They position the aircraft from BNE to WTB Sat morning and WTB to BNE late Sun arvo.

Stationair8
12th Apr 2021, 06:54
Business section of The Weekend Australian, had an article on Alliance which included that they would be operating flights out of Darwin for Air North.

No Idea Either
12th Apr 2021, 11:54
I believe many Airnorth pilots are not current. They had dispo’s last year but CASA won’t issue a dispo on a dispo. TL pilots go overseas for sim hence the problem. But then again they may be just struggling financially and offloading work as required!!!

mince
12th Apr 2021, 21:54
I believe many Airnorth pilots are not current. They had dispo’s last year but CASA won’t issue a dispo on a dispo. TL pilots go overseas for sim hence the problem. But then again they may be just struggling financially and offloading work as required!!!

Where are the Alliance pilots going to get rated and/or current?

Global Aviator
12th Apr 2021, 22:50
Where are the Alliance pilots going to get rated and/or current?

Probably in their sim that’s being set up.

Going Nowhere
13th Apr 2021, 00:52
Where are the Alliance pilots going to get rated and/or current?

I believe the current Ejet crew went to Helsinki to do their type ratings/renewals.

itchy_feet
13th Apr 2021, 05:21
I believe many Airnorth pilots are not current. They had dispo’s last year but CASA won’t issue a dispo on a dispo. TL pilots go overseas for sim hence the problem. But then again they may be just struggling financially and offloading work as required!!!

Would be a pain to send folks overseas but the other Ejet operator sucked up the costs and sent their crews to Europe for recurrent training.

Stationair8
13th Apr 2021, 07:21
I suppose the non current Air North crews don their uniform each day, and stand by the edge of runway 11 and salute as the Alliance crews take off?

Icarus2001
26th Apr 2021, 01:12
IMPORTANT FARE DISCREPANCY INFORMATION We are experiencing a fare quote issue on step 1 of the booking process and we are working on a solution.

The fare you will be charged at the payment step is the correct fare. However, the fare displayed at step 1 (the 'select flight' step) may vary from the 'confirm payment' step.

The variation could be between $5.00 to $35.00 AUD per person. We sincerely apologise for this inconvenience

They cannot even make their website work correctly.

No Idea Either
26th Apr 2021, 04:13
I suppose the non current Air North crews don their uniform each day, and stand by the edge of runway 11 and salute as the Alliance crews take off?

I don’t work for Airnorth but I can certainly relate.......🥺🥺

bangbounceboeing
26th Apr 2021, 05:58
Did anybody from Airnorth eventually get into Alliance or is there a no poaching policy between them ?

Stationair8
8th May 2021, 00:36
Rumour that they are getting an E190.

bangbounceboeing
8th May 2021, 00:40
Alliance 190 has been operating for them daily for last few weeks

Icarus2001
21st Feb 2023, 00:19
So if these guys owe you money you may want to get paid soon.

belongamick
21st Feb 2023, 01:52
So if these guys owe you money you may want to get paid soon.
Why's that?

smiling monkey
21st Feb 2023, 03:42
Looks like they're expanding in to WA.

https://www.seek.com.au/job/59477460?type=standard#sol=3fe3410c696c84879dfdfd611b507027a cb56396

WannaBeBiggles
21st Feb 2023, 16:14
Looks like they're expanding in to WA.

https://www.seek.com.au/job/59477460?type=standard#sol=3fe3410c696c84879dfdfd611b507027a cb56396

They've operated to/from Perth for a long time and had crew based there at times. Might be a Perth base, or might be Perth in name only while spending most of ones time in Darwin or training/sitting reserve in Brisbane. Time will tell on that one.

Icarus2001
21st Feb 2023, 22:54
Have a look at their website Biggles.

Caedus
22nd Feb 2023, 22:17
Anyone know what eba TL pilots are on?

Icarus2001
3rd Mar 2023, 01:36
So anyone here know how the roadshow is going? Get a bigger room with more seats?

Caedus
3rd Mar 2023, 09:37
So anyone here know how the roadshow is going? Get a bigger room with more seats?

Put in for the roadshow, got an interview instead :)

WannaBeBiggles
3rd Mar 2023, 13:52
Anyone know what eba TL pilots are on?

The EBA is almost legally allowed to drink.