New Queensland Airlines Ready to Fly

AUSTRALIA'S newest airline will take to the skies next month with services to regional areas and the South Pacific.

Queensland-based SkyAirWorld last week took delivery of its first plane, a new 76-seat Embraer 170 ready to start charter services between Brisbane and Honiara.

Five more aircraft are coming -- one every six months -- as the company plans to move into mine fly-in/fly-out services, tourist flights and government department charter services.

''We've observed that massive opportunities exist,'' said SkyAirWorld chief executive officer David Charlton. ''There are not enough aircraft operating in this category.''

Their fleet will comprise two Embraer 170s and four of the larger 190 model, which seats 100 passengers.

It will be the first time the Brazilian-built jets have operated in Australian skies, although they are used by 21 airlines around the world.

''We will be flying the newest commercial aircraft in Australia,'' Mr Charlton said. ''It will set the standard for economy class in this country.''

Seats will be wider and offer more leg-room ''and there will be only two abreast -- nobody likes being stuck in the middle seat''.

The Embraer will burn about a third less fuel than a Boeing 737-200.

Mr Charlton says that will enable the airline to be very competitive, particularly in opening new services to the Pacific and regional Australia: ''Lower costs mean we can fly more frequently.''

The airline is expecting clearance to fly from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority within weeks.

The first aircraft will operate in partnership with Solomon Airlines, with six flights a week to Honiara starting next month.

The company is also keen to develop the tourism charter model which has proved very successful in Europe.

''We'll be able to partner with resorts in north Queensland, say, to put together a package which includes accommodation and airfares,'' Mr Charlton said.

''Or we could link Cairns and Hervey Bay so that Japanese tourists can take a charter trip to go whale-watching.''

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