OzJet gets go ahead

New all-business-class airline OzJet has been granted an Air Operator’s Certificate to fly scheduled services in Australia.

OzJet, founded by Australia’s international aviation and motor racing identity Paul Stoddart, announced today that it had received its AOC from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority after an exhaustive application process.

OzJet intends to start flying scheduled services between Australia’s two biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, at fully-flexible economy prices from Tuesday, November 29.

It will start taking bookings though its Customer Contact Centre on telephone 1300 737 000 from 8am today as well as on its new website, www.ozjet.com.au

From Tuesday, November 15, bookings can also be made via travel agent global distribution systems. In the meantime travel agents can book via the special travel agent section on the OzJet website.

OzJet passengers in the first three months will have the chance to win rides in Formula One Two-Seater racing cars built by the Minardi team that Mr Stoddart owned for the past five years.

The airline’s advertising will feature Murray Walker, the much-loved Voice of Formula One motor racing commentary.  

Mr Stoddart said that OzJet receiving its AOC was “the best day” of his aviation career, which includes operating the British-based European Aviation charter and spare parts business for almost two decades.

“To get the licence to operate an all-business-class airline in my home country, after many months and countless hours of hard work by what started as a very small OzJet team and has now grown to a size ready to start commercial operations soon, is very satisfying indeed,” Mr Stoddart said from Bournemouth in England.

“The application process with CASA has been rigorous but enormously professional and I now look forward to being in Australia for our first scheduled services between Sydney and Melbourne – one of the world’s busiest air routes – from November 29.

“OzJet intends to change the nature of business travel in Australia by offering a high-quality, time-efficient service at modest cost.

“We will offer travelers great space, comfort and service.

“The 60 business-class seats in each OzJet Boeing 737 are luxurious, there is an abundance of room to stretch your legs and read a broadsheet newspaper comfortably, and our customers can take three pieces of hand luggage, up to 20kg in total, with them in the cabin.

“We will have proper hot meals on fine chinaware and complimentary beverages with friendly and consistent great customer service.”

OzJet’s standard fare between the two capitals will be $325, with the return trip $650.

The airline intends to extend its services during 2006 to include Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth as it increases its fleet from three to up to 10 aircraft.

All OzJet planes will have seats configured 2×2 either side of the aisle, eliminating middle seats.

OzJet’s economy fares should meet the best-fare-of-the-day requirements of many business travelers, while allowing them to travel business class with a service level they could not otherwise expect.

OzJet aims to save business travelers as much as 20 per cent in time

• with its Internet check-in facility, because of customers not needing to be at the airport as early,

• by allowing three pieces of carry-on luggage, meaning many passengers can avoid baggage queues, and

• by having the quickest disembarkation from aircraft with a maximum of only 60 passengers.

OzJet customers can also avail themselves of the most convenient and time-efficient parking options at Sydney and Melbourne airports – at Airport Valet in Sydney and Business Park (South) in Melbourne.

The airline will have check-in counters at Terminal 2 in Sydney and Terminal 3 in Melbourne.

In Sydney it will use primarily Gate 39 in Terminal 2 but also gates 38 and 40, while in Melbourne it will use Gate 12 exclusively in its initial phase.

In Melbourne it will have a ground-level Customer Service Office in front of the Business Carpark (South) and almost directly below Gate 12, allowing for quick and easy check-in and exit on return.

OzJet chief executive Hans van Pelt said the carrier wanted to become “a unique networking opportunity in the Australian skies on an airline that means business”.

“We offer compelling value by providing business-class travel for no additional cost and with a suite of additional benefits,” Mr van Pelt said.

“We have the ability to offer a different product and service to a large and growing market that is becoming more concerned with service and on-time performance.

“We have a commitment to deliver great service and to treat our customers with respect and as friends.

“Come on board to experience a business-class jet at flexible, economy prices.

“The greatest long-term advantage for OzJet is operating in an environment which other Australian airlines cannot.

“Even if our competitors try to discount fares they simply cannot match OzJet’s product.”

OzJet is fast approaching 100 staff and yesterday presented “wings” to 24 cabin crew graduates. The Customer Contact Centre staff have also completed extensive training and are on duty today to take the first bookings.

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