New Regional Airline Ready For Take-off
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday June 29, 2002
Two regional airlines formerly owned by Ansett were yesterday signed over to a new owner which will cut about 350 jobs and merge the carriers.
Australiawide Airlines chief executive officer Michael Jones yesterday announced his company had bought Kendell and Hazelton airlines, which have been flying under the control of administrators since Ansett's collapse last year.
Doubts had been mounting over the sale in recent weeks as negotiators failed to meet several deadlines.
Even the launch at Sydney Airport was delayed by more than an hour because of another ``last minute hiccup" in a contract.
Mr Jones confirmed the new airline would keep up to 650 staff - about two-thirds of the two airlines' total workforce.
Australiawide Airlines is backed by a NSW-based consortium of aviation experts who plan to operate flights to regional centres in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
© 2002 Illawarra Mercury
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