Strategic Airlines is preparing to introduce an A320 which will be based in Perth to serve the Perth-Derby route and to service charter clients.
The 156-seat A320, registered VH-YQA, was delivered into Australia during November, and as of December 15 was undergoing fitout and painting at John Holland Aviation Services in Melbourne. After completion, it will fly to Perth to commence service on the licensed Perth-Derby route, replacing an Alliance Airline Fokker 100 which has operated the three-times weekly service since original carrier OzJet ceased flying on May 20.
“Alongside the Perth-Derby route we see many opportunities for this aircraft to be utilised for commercial and charter purposes in Western Australia. Already, we have received numerous inquiries from mining and tourism companies throughout the country, seeking both regular and ad-hoc charters,” said Strategic CEO David Blake.
As well as Strategic, Skywest is expected to take delivery of at least one A320 during 2010, which is likely to be used on mining charter and international services.
Strategic also operates two other A320s – one based in Brisbane and the other in France – as well as an A330-200 which is primarily used on flights to the Middle East on behalf of the Australian Defence Force.
