Australian Airlines
Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:For Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Infobox airline
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 with 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.<ref>Qantas spreads its wings Australian Financial Review 19 November 2002</ref> The name was a revivial of the Australian Airlines brand that Qantas had acquired in September 1992 when it merged with Australian Airlines.<ref>End of an airline as Qantas moves in Sydney Morning Herald 14 April 1993</ref><ref>Qantas announces low cost airline Australian Aviation issue 177 October 2001 page 18</ref><ref>Expanding Overseas...and at Home Qantas</ref>
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.<ref>Australian takes off Australian Aviation issue 190 December 2002 page 16</ref> In 2003, a further two 767-300ERs were added for the commencement of flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Denpasar.<ref>Australian Airlines Announces Expansion Qantas 25 February 2003</ref><ref>Australian Airlines expands Australian Aviation issue 193 April 2003 page 17</ref>
In June 2006 the Australian Airlines brand was retired.<ref>Qantas Group International Networks Qantas 11 April 2006</ref><ref>Goodbye Australian, Hello Jetstar Intl Australian Aviation issue 228 June 2006 page 14</ref> The airline's aircraft were refitted with business class seating and repainted back into Qantas livery.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=AA229>Australian Airlines Australian Aviation issue 229 July 2006 page 72</ref>
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
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Taiwan
Template:Note labelSuspended prior to ceasing operations
Fleet
When operations ceased in June 2006, Australian Airlines operated five Boeing 767-300ERs.<ref name=AA229/>