Ansett Australia is planning to merge its three regional subsidiaries - Kendell Airlines, Skywest Airlines and Aeropelican Air Services - into a single carrier. It will take over a significant chunk of the mainline airline's regional operation, based around British Aerospace 146s.
Ansett has also replaced senior management and the entire supervisory pilot group at Kendell Airlines, based in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, amid concerns at the lack of progress in the relaunch of the subsidiary as an A$170 million ($108 million) regional jet operation able to compete with Qantas and new airlines.
Kendell, a Saab 340 turboprop operator serving south-east Australia, is to expand using Bombardier Canadair 50-seat Regional Jets (CRJs). Ansett, however, is unhappy with the pace of progress, and has brought in Ron Rosalky - formerly Ansett executive general manager, ground services - to replace Kendell chief executive Geoff Breust. Six senior Ansett captains have taken over flight standards and checking/ training functions.
Kendell has so far introduced one CRJ. Pilot qualification for the aircraft has fallen behind schedule, as has meeting air operator certificate requirements.
• Adelaide-based National Jet Systems has been bought by Cobham subsidiary FR Aviation for an undisclosed sum.
Source: Flight International
