Flight International online news 09:30GMT: OzJet expects to have its first aircraft registered in Australia sometime this week and launch operations in November.

The Melbourne-based company says OzJet’s first Boeing 737-200 is expected to be registered in Australia as VH-OZQ. OzJet also has at least one other 737-200 in Australia and both are owned by UK firm European Aviation, a company controlled by OzJet founder Paul Stoddart.

OzJet plans to launch operations with services on the Melbourne-Sydney route before expanding operations to other cities such as Adelaide and Canberra.

The carrier earlier this year selected AAES is its main provider for maintenance, repair and overhaul work. AAES was previously called Ansett Australia Engineering Services.

Stoddart continues to be based in the UK but the expatriate Australian entrepreneur is expected to devote more time to the Australian carrier.

This is because yesterday Stoddart disclosed he has agreed to sell his other major business, the Minardi Formula One race team, to rival team Red Bull of Austria.

However, OzJet did not say whether any of the $35 million Red Bull is reportedly buying Minardi for will be investeed in the new airline company. 

LEITHEN FRANCIS/SINGAPORE

Source: Flight International