Aeropelican Air Services

For the South African airline, see Pelican Air Services.

Aeropelican Air Services

IATA ICAO Callsign OT PEL PELICAN
Founded	1968
Operating bases	Newcastle Airport
Focus cities	Sydney Airport
Fleet size	5
Destinations	6
Parent company	Business Air Holdings Pty. Ltd.
Headquarters	Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Key people	Ian Vanderbeek (Managing Director)
Website	www.aeropelican.com.au

Aeropelican Air Services Pty Ltd is a regional airline based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Its main base is Newcastle Airport (Williamtown), with a hub at Sydney Airport.

History

The airline was established on 23 October 1968 and started operations on 1 July 1971. It originally was owned by the Newcastle-based Hilder family, however in 1980 the airline was sold to Masling Airlines, a company associated with the now-defunct Ansett Australia. It operated services for Ansett Australia and later became a wholly owned subsidiary.

Aeropelican's main route has historically been between Sydney and Belmont Airport in Newcastle's southern suburbs, with high frequency service using de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters. Aeropelican originally owned this airport.

Following the collapse of parent company Ansett Australia in September 2001, Aeropelican was placed into administration. It was acquired by International Air Parts in April 2002. On 20 June 2003 the airline entered into a commercial agreement with Regional Express Airlines.

Aeropelican's former Embraer Bandeirante at Sydney Airport

Aeropelican commenced services from Sydney to Newcastle's other airport (Williamtown, to the north of the city) on 1 March 2004. An Embraer Bandeirante started services from Williamtown on 20 September 2004 to augment the two Twin Otters used before. In March 2005 the airline discontinued service from Belmont Airport. A Fairchild Metro 23 aircraft was also added to the fleet in 2005 and the Twin Otters were withdrawn. In 2006, three BAe Jetstream 32s were ordered, with plans to announce new services. In December 2006, Aeropelican was awarded the Sydney to Inverell route licence after the previous operator Big Sky Express ceased operations. After the first two Jetstream 32s were placed into service in 2007, the Metro was withdrawn from service. In December 2007 Aeropelican announced that, subject to regulatory approval, it would commence operations between Newcastle and Tamworth, New South Wales on 12 February 2008. The airline subsequently received regulatory approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and commenced operations on the route, however the following September it ceased flights to Tamworth, citing poor passenger numbers on the route.

Also in 2008 International Air Parts sold the airline to Business Air Holdings.

Brindabella Airlines Merger

In October 2011, it was announced by Aeropelican's Business Development Manager, Fabrice Binet, that Canberra-based regional operator Brindabella Airlines would merge with Aeropelican, following the withdrawal of Brindabella's majority shareholder. It is speculated that this merger would add two BAe Jetstream 41 and three Metroliner III turboprops to Aeropelican's fleet. Aeropelican did hint however, that at least one of the BAe Jetstream 41 turboprops would service the Sydney to Cooma (Snowy Mountains) route during the 2012 Ski Season.

Destinations

As of January 2011, scheduled services are operated on the following routes:

• Sydney to Newcastle (Williamtown Airport)
• Sydney to Narrabri
• Sydney to Mudgee
• Sydney to Cooma (Snowy Mountains)
• Newcastle to Narrabri
• Brisbane to Narrabri

Fleet

Aeropelican's first Jetstream 32 at Sydney Airport. The inscription near the entry door reads: "Proudly Novocastrian since 1973"

As of April 2010 the Aeropelican fleet consists of:

• 5 BAe Jetstream 32

External links

• Aeropelican Air Services
• Aeropelican Information

References

Notes

1. ^ Aeropelican has been approved by Airservices Australia to use the designator of "PE" for its flights instead of using aircraft registrations.