Ansett Australia (AN) are in the process of handing over loss making routes to regional airlines, mainly to Kendell Airlines (KD). I recently visited the KD website where I learnt that in the near future KD will start operating services from Brisbane (BNE) to Mackay (MKY) and Rockhampton (ROK) using their new CRJ aircraft. I am curious to know why AN is giving KD the flights, and not Flight West (YC), who are based and operate throughout Queensland.

YC operate Fokker 100 and F28 aircraft types, so servicing ROK and MKY with jet equipment would not be a problem. YC already have the staff and equipment to handle the flights in these ports. KD have never operated in Queensland before and would need to make arrangements to either employ staff or contract the aircraft and pasenger handling to someone. YC already operate to Proserpine (PPP. Almost halfway between ROK and MKY) on behalf of AN, so why not just extend the arrangement and let YC handle these flights?

Does anyone know why AN decided to go with KD and not YC? Any comments appreciated.

- Macair SAAB