New niche regional player in Australia?

Yesterday saw the official announcement of a new niche regional player ConnectJet.  The airline will be based in regional NSW at Dubbo and offer flights from Dubbo to Essendon in Melbourne via Griffith, operating a single B1900D aircraft.

It is with much pleasure Connect Jet – a new brand of Airline – announces new* air services connecting Dubbo N.S.W to Melbourne (Essendon) and to Griffith by the end of the year. Connect Jet plans to operate 24 weekly services operating 7 days per week to Melbourne (Essendon) offering customers early morning departures and evening return flights

The press release above reports 24 weekly services, but after studying the timetable it is 24 sectors, with double daily DBO-GFF-MEB & return and once daily return flights on weekends.

Image from connectjet.com.au

ConnectJet's website also suggests they are looking to operate between Dubbo & Brisbane, Dubbo & Gold Coast, Dubbo & Newcastle and Dubbo & Cobar.  But as their Dubbo-Griffith-Essendon flights are still subject to regulatory approval, its too soon to hold ones breath on future expansion.

Another big point contained in the press release is the fact the airline has not yet confirmed it will actually fly from Dubbo as it is still in negotiation with the council regarding security screening charges that the council is imposing on commercial operators that do not need to apply to aircraft the size of the 1900D.

The airline has not announced where it will source the 1900D from, but it appears to have some powerful backing with the website proudly proclaiming Sponsored By: Toll Priority, Linfox and Essendon Airport, and obviously Linfox own Essendon

The "who is ConnectJet" page on the website is interesting as it contains a stock image with cabin crew photoshopped into the CJ colours.  I am sure I have seen other Australian operators use this image in their colour as well.  It also contains the following paragraph, which to me doesn't read quite right.

Our founders and senior management team is made up of commercial pilots and aviation regulator managers. We know what it takes to build and operate a quality airline from the ground up, with your safety being our number one priority.

• Read the press release HERE
• view the website HERE
• checkout the timetable HERE