A new Christmas Island based airline has applied to the International Air Services Commission to allow it to start flights between Christmas Island and Singapore using a Boeing 737-300 wet leased from Our Airline.
Australian Indian Ocean Territories Airlines (AIOTA) says in its application, dated October 22, that it is seeking unlimited capacity on the Singapore route for 10 years, with some of the capacity to be utilised on the commencement of the northern winter 09 scheduling season, although it does not provide an indicative schedule of what its likely frequencies would be.
AIOTA notes that it “has a sound business plan to serve the Indian Ocean Territories and is well funded to make this venture a success”, while it has also lodged an application with the Department of Infrastructure to be designated as an Australian carrier on the Singapore route. It also says that it has submitted applications for an international airline licence as well as a Western Australian aircraft licence.
The prospective airline says that to serve the route it will wet lease a 737-300 with 130-seats from Nauruan carrier Our Airline. Our Airline is also planning to provide a 737 on wet lease to Pacific Wings to operate flights from Brisbane and Sydney to New Caledonia and New Zealand.
