Australian Airlines was an Australian airline that commenced operations in October 2002 serving Australian and Asian destinations. An all-economy, full-service international leisure carrier, it was a subsidiary of Qantas. Its main hub was at Cairns Airport, with a secondary hub at Sydney Airport. It ceased in June 2006 when the brand retired.
History
In August 2001, Qantas announced it would establish a low cost airline with a cost base 25-30% lower to operate on routes that were unprofitable.Qantas spreads its wings Australian Financial Review 19 November 2002 The name was a revival of the Australian Airlines brand that Qantas had acquired in September 1992 when it merged with Australian Airlines.End of an airline as Qantas moves in Sydney Morning Herald 14 April 1993Qantas announces low cost airline Australian Aviation issue 177 October 2001 page 18Expanding Overseas...and at Home Qantas
It commenced operations on 27 October 2002 with four former Qantas Boeing 767-300ERs that were reconfigured with 271 economy seats on flights from Cairns to Fukuoka, Hong Kong, Nagoya, Singapore and Taipei.Australian takes off Australian Aviation issue 190 December 2002 page 16 In 2003, a further two 767-300ERs were added for the commencement of flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Denpasar.Australian Airlines Announces Expansion Qantas 25 February 2003Australian Airlines expands Australian Aviation issue 193 April 2003 page 17
In June 2006 the Australian Airlines brand was retired.Qantas Group International Networks Qantas 11 April 2006Goodbye Australian, Hello Jetstar Intl Australian Aviation issue 228 June 2006 page 14 The airline's aircraft were refitted with business class seating and repainted back into Qantas livery.Australian Airlines Australian Aviation issue 229 July 2006 page 72
Destinations Australian Airlines operated scheduled services to the following destinations:
Australia Cairns – Cairns Airport (Main hub) Darwin – Darwin International Airport Gold Coast – Gold Coast Airport Melbourne – Melbourne Airport Perth – Perth Airport Sydney – Sydney Airport (Secondary hub) Hong Kong Hong Kong International Airport Indonesia Denpasar, Bali – Ngurah Rai International Airport Japan Fukuoka – Fukuoka Airport Nagoya – Chubu Centrair International Airport Osaka – Kansai International Airport Sapporo – New Chitose Airport Malaysia Kota Kinabalu – Kota Kinabalu International Airport Singapore Changi Airport Taiwan Taipei – Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Suspended prior to ceasing operations
Fleet When operations ceased in June 2006, Australian Airlines operated five Boeing 767-300ERs.
References
External links
Official website