Australian start-up OzJet plans to launch business-class only services from Adelaide by September. The airline, which is being established by Minardi Formula One racing team boss Paul Stoddart, will initially operate six aircraft - Boeing 737-200s and BAe 146s - drawn from his UK-based European Aviation charter airline on services from Adelaide to Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, Melbourne-Canberra and Melbourne-Sydney.
OzJet will enter a highly competitive domestic Australian market dominated by Qantas, its low-cost operator Jetstar and Virgin Blue.
Stoddart changed OzJet's original low-cost airline model following the launch of Jetstar. OzJet hopes to appeal to business travellers by operating its 737s with a configuration of 64 seats. OzJet's selection of Adelaide over Melbourne as its home base comes as the airport undergoes a A$260 million ($205 million) facelift.
Source: Flight International
