A new budget airline is set to land in Australia soon, bringing new competition to the likes of Virgin, Qantas, and Jetstar. And they’ve only named it after one of the country’s most iconic animals: the koala.
The Australian aviation sector is known for being stagnant and ruthless to newcomers, with some air titans currently ruling the airwaves in the country.
In comparison to previous attempts at offering an affordable option, Koala Airlines says it’s “taking a more innovative route.”
While the company appears to be new, it has actually been around since 1970 as it is a rebrand from Desert Air Safaris. It was in 2019 when Koala Airlines acquired Desert Air Safaris Pty Ltd, a company which had been operating for over 50 years throughout Australia, PNG, and the Pacific Islands.
Based in Melbourne, Koala Airlines brings promises of “new initiatives and innovations”, though what shape those new ideas take is still yet to be declared, though it seems to be aiming for more ambitious horizons than simply budget-friendly travel.
The company is in the process of finalizing negotiations to acquire a fleet that will allow their Air Operators Certificate to be upgraded with the new aircraft type. The company writes that this is a crucial step for “solidifying our operational capabilities and readiness to serve our customers with the highest standards.”
The routes of potential travel haven’t yet been made public, but Koala Airlines has plans to begin flights as early as the end of 2024 or the start of 2025.
Koala Airlines: Airline industry in Australia is a tough market to crack
Why do so many airlines bite the dust in Australia? It seems the reasons range from limitations of government policy (pre-1990), to difficulty gaining competitive market share, Covid-19, and funding difficulties.
Two major airlines have dominated since 1952 when the Australian government introduced the Two Airline Policy. These chosen airlines were the only ones allowed to operate flights between state capital cities and between capitals and nominated regional centers.
It was in 1990 when the government’s policy was relaxed and more competition was allowed to enter into the market.
Featured Image: Via Koala Airlines
[…] hasn’t ruled out possibilities of budget package holidays Australia to get more options as Koala Airlines gets ready to launch Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates Studio Tour’s 60th anniversary with exclusive experiences […]