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→‎Destinations: OzJet currently operates three services per week between Perth and Derby (Curtin Airport).
http://www.ozjet.com.au/media/default.aspx
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[[Image:VH-OBNmascot.JPG|thumb|right|A now retired OzJet [[Boeing 737]] at [[Sydney Airport]].]]
[[Image:VH-OBNmascot.JPG|thumb|right|A now retired OzJet [[Boeing 737]] at [[Sydney Airport]].]]
'''Ozjet Airlines Pty Ltd''' is a [[airline|scheduled]] and [[air charter|charter airline]] based in [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]. It operated charter services within [[Australasia]] from the a base at [[Perth Airport]]. In 2008 the airline was sold to [[HeavyLift Cargo Airlines]], and by May 2009 it had suspended operations from Perth.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25514422-5017962,00.html]</ref> In June, 2009, OzJet was purchased by the [[Strategic Airlines|Strategic]] group.
'''Ozjet Airlines Pty Ltd''' is a [[airline|scheduled]] and [[air charter|charter airline]] based in [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]. It operated charter services within [[Australasia]] from the a base at [[Perth Airport]]. In 2008 the airline was sold to [[HeavyLift Cargo Airlines]], and by May 2009 it had suspended operations from Perth.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25514422-5017962,00.html]</ref> On 21 May 2009, air services to Perth and Derby were restored as scheduled under an arrangement brokered between OzJet and [[Alliance Airlines]]. In June, 2009, OzJet was purchased by the [[Strategic Airlines|Strategic]] group.<ref>http://www.ozjet.com.au/media/default.aspx</ref>


==History==
==History==

Revision as of 16:11, 22 November 2009

OzJet Airlines
IATA ICAO Callsign
O7 OZJ AUSJET
Founded2005
Fleet size0
Destinations2
Parent companyStrategic Group
HeadquartersBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
Key peopleMichael James
(Executive Director)
Shaun Aisen
(Executive Director)
Websitehttp://www.ozjet.com.au/
A now retired OzJet Boeing 737 at Sydney Airport.

Ozjet Airlines Pty Ltd is a scheduled and charter airline based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It operated charter services within Australasia from the a base at Perth Airport. In 2008 the airline was sold to HeavyLift Cargo Airlines, and by May 2009 it had suspended operations from Perth.[1] On 21 May 2009, air services to Perth and Derby were restored as scheduled under an arrangement brokered between OzJet and Alliance Airlines. In June, 2009, OzJet was purchased by the Strategic group.[2]

History

The name Ozjet was the brain child of Peter Schott, a Metroliner pilot from New South Wales studying for his Masters of Business Administration at Swinburne University in Victoria. The trademark "Ozjet" was registered to him in 2002 as was the original company. When the Minardi Formula One team owner Paul Stoddart (born in Coburg, Victoria) announced the idea of a "low-cost" domestic regional airline, Ausjet, a new company Ausjet Airlines Pty Ltd was created. It was only a matter of time that Peter Schott and Paul Stoddart realised the potential of adopting the Ozjet name and the deal was done. In 2004 the original Ozjet Airlines Pty Ltd was deregistered and Ausjet Airlines Pty Ltd became Ozjet Airlines Pty Ltd. Peter Schott was initially the Chief operating officer, then replaced by David Blake in late 2005.[3]

Following its pre-application meeting on 10 June 2005, Ozjet Airlines Pty Ltd gained a Certificate of Airworthiness for its first jet on 28 October 2005. After a number of delays Ozjet was granted an Air Operator's Certificate by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority on 11 November 2005.[4][5] On 29 November 2005 OzJet commenced operations, flying eight scheduled return services per day between Melbourne and Sydney using Boeing 737-200 aircraft transferred from Paul Stoddart's European Aviation in business class configuration of 60 seats.[5][6] OzJet intended to expand its fleet with up to seven further Boeing 737s[5] and four BAe 146s and to expand its network to include the cities of Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth.[5] Ozjet's motto was "You're in Business", reflecting its marketing and product focus on business travellers. OzJet wanted to attain a market share of no more than 10% of the business market from competitors Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar.[7]

Initially the airline offered its business class seats in its three aircraft at fares similar to those of fully flexible economy class seats of its competitors. Faced with poor loads on its services (due in part to not commencing operations until just before the start of the Christmas holiday period in Australia), it had to soon resort to discounting, including "two seats-for-the-price-of-one" offers.[5] On many of the carrier's flights, there were more flight attendants than actual passengers.[8]. The low patronage problems continued and in December 2005 the airline commenced offering charter flights.[9]

On Sunday 12 March 2006 Chairman of OzJet Paul Stoddart announced that OzJet would cease all scheduled operations. All stranded passengers were given flights with Qantas (economy) and all other booked fares were given full refunds, and an opportunity to book a matching flight with Qantas at the same price.[10]

Ex Ozjet Boeing 737 VH-OZD in Norfolk Air livery at Sydney Airport

On 16 May 2006, OzJet was announced as taking over operating the regular service from Australia to Norfolk Island, replacing Air Nauru from 24 May 2006. The main aircraft used on this service, VH-OZD, is configured for 108 seats (8 of which are "Bounty Class") and ticketed by Qantas & Norfolk Air. The services operate several days a week operating from the Norfolk Island base to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Newcastle for Norfolk Air.

On 21 August 2006 the airline began scheduled operations on behalf of Airlines PNG between Brisbane and Port Moresby. As of November 2007 these services were operating three times a week, originating in Brisbane each operating day.[11]

In February 2007 OzJet recommenced scheduled flights, operating between Perth and Derby, Western Australia[12] three times each week.[13] In September the same year Ozjet commenced charter flights from Perth to Bali, Indonesia operating on behalf of travel agency IndoJet, initially twice each week, subsequently increasing to four times per week.[14][15] In October 2007 Ozjet announced that subject to regulatory approval it would commence regular services connecting Palmerston North in New Zealand with the Australian ports of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane;[16] but decided in March 2008, just four days before the first scheduled flights, that the service would not go ahead, leaving hundreds of travellers in limbo without any information or official contact from OzJet.[17][18]

In May 2008 it was announced that Paul Stoddart had sold his 97.4% stake in OzJet to HeavyLift Cargo Airlines.[19] The new Chairman of OzJet, HeavyLift's Nick Leach, was reported as saying that the Boeing 737-200s would be replaced with newer and more fuel efficient 737-300s and 737-400s.[20]

In October 2008 the Manawatu Standard reported that Ozjet was in talks with Palmerston North International Airport; to discuss Ozjet commencing the services from Australia to Palmerston North that had been abandoned at the time of the HeavyLift sale.[21] In late 2008 Ozjet's services to Port Moresby on behalf of Airlines PNG ceased when Pacific Blue Airlines commenced code-share flights on 3 November.[22]

On 29 April 2009 Norfolk Air CEO Jeff Murdoch announced that, following a decision by Ozjet Airlines to immediately end charter services to the island, Our Airline (formerly Air Nauru) would be taking over all charter services on behalf of Norfolk Air.[23][24]

All Boeing 737-200 aircraft where retired when Strategic purchased Ozjet, Strategic is primarily an Airbus operator.

Destinations

A Minardi Formula One car running with OzJet sponsorship in 2005.

As of November 2008 Ozjet operates three services per weekf between Perth, Western Australia and Curtin Airport in Derby, Western Australia

Services

  • Adhoc Charter - OzJet offers a Ad Hoc service, usually for organizations needing to move medium to large numbers of people with minimal notice.
  • Series Contract - OzJet's core business is series contract work as OzJet operates scheduled service routes on behalf of its clients, conducting codeshare work with major carriers and working with government bodies and other airlines on long term flying projects.
  • Inclusive Tours - OzJet is regularly contracted by tour operators as part of their holiday packages on routes of up to 4 hrs duration.
  • Wet & Dry Leasing - In conjunction with a partner airline, OzJet has wet and dry leased its aircraft to various airlines throughout the world to both national and regional carriers, as well as low cost carriers.
  • Business Jet - OzJet business Jets maintain 60 seats in a cabin designed for 130.
  • Freight - Each of OzJet's aircraft is equipped with cargo holds. Seat packs are also available to meet customer freight and logistics needs. OzJet also offers a combi to carry both passengers and freight within the cabin.

Former services

  • Ozjet previously operated its own scheduled domestic services between Melbourne and Sydney

Fleet

As of June 2009 OzJet's fleet of B737-200's was retired and Strategic will commence operations with an A320 from mid November 2009

  • Nil

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ http://www.ozjet.com.au/media/default.aspx
  3. ^ "Newsdesk", Australian Aviation magazine. No. 222, November 2005, p.16. Aerospace Publications. ISSN 0813-0876.
  4. ^ 11 November 2005 media release
  5. ^ a b c d e "Newsdesk", Australian Aviation magazine. No. 224, January/February 2006, p.14. Aerospace Publications. ISSN 0813-0876.
  6. ^ News article on the commencement of flights
  7. ^ "Wizard of Ozjet", The Age online retrieved 2007-11-23.
  8. ^ Article on the commencement of VivaJet Airlines
  9. ^ News article on the commencement of charter flights
  10. ^ 12 March 2006 media release
  11. ^ Airlines PNG Schedule retrieved 2007-11-23.
  12. ^ Ozjet Media Release retrieved 2007-11-23.
  13. ^ Ozjet Flight Schedule retrieved 2007-11-23.
  14. ^ e-Travel Blackboard: Asia's Number One Industry Newsletter
  15. ^ Indojet schedule. Retrieved: 4 November 2008.
  16. ^ Ozjet Media Release retrieved 2007-11-23.
  17. ^ "Service shafted in a blink". Manawatu Standard. 28 March 2008.
  18. ^ "Palmerston North's trans-Tasman air service cancelled". The New Zealand Herald. 27 March 2008.
  19. ^ "OzJet sells to HeavyLift Cargo Airlines". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 May 2008.
  20. ^ "Numbers man gets his teeth into Tiger". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 May 2008.
  21. ^ "City must give OzJet second chance". Manawatu Standard. 1 October 2008.
  22. ^ "Pacific Blue adds PNG to Growing Network" - Virgin Blue Media Release. Retrieved: 4 November 2008
  23. ^ http://www.aviationrecord.com/Home/AirlineNews/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2252/Norfolk-Air-launches-Our-Airline.aspx
  24. ^ a b http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=91576&nav=2
  25. ^ http://www.aviationrecord.com/Home/AirlineNews/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2252/Norfolk-Air-launches-Our-airline.aspx
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