Media Releases
NEW FLEET
July 2007
Canberra based regional airline Brindabella Airlines have announced
the introduction of the BAE J41 Jetstream Aircraft to their fleet.
The new J41 Aircraft is a significant step up for Brindabella's
fleet. The J41 will have the capacity to carry 30 passengers, 3
crew members including a flight attendant.
With a cruise speed of 540km/hour the J41 is the fastest and by far
the most fuel efficient aircraft in its class. The highly efficient
twin engine turboprop offers the optimum balance of performance,
comfort and allows for larger luggage allowances. The world's
largest carrier of the J41 is Eastern Airways (UK) that was named
this year's European Airline of the year.
The new aircraft is scheduled to arrive from USA in October and
begin flying on Brindabella's North Coast routes in late November
2007. The first routes for the aircraft will be Newcastle to Port
Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Brisbane. A second J41 aircraft is
scheduled to start on the Canberra and Newcastle routes in
February 2008.
"After extensive research the J41 was the obvious choice for our
company due to passenger comfort, proven reliability and fantastic
fuel efficiency." (Jeff Boyd, CEO Brindabella Airlines).
Brindabella Airlines operate out of Canberra International Airport
and currently are servicing Albury, Canberra, Newcastle, Port
Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Brisbane.
Jetstream Flyer
Media Enquiries
Rochelle Kahlefeldt
Marketing Manager
Phone: (02) 6248 8711
Mobile: 0418 412 527
Email: rochelle@brindabella-airlines.com.au
WHEELIES WITH WINGS
May 2007
April 16th saw the beginning of yet another "Wheelies with Wings"
flight training program. "Wheelies with Wings" is a unique flight
training program, which provides flight training for students that
live with a lower limb disability. Living with any disability,
granted, is hard, but great things can still be achieved through
motivation and adaptation. "Wheelies with Wings" gives disabled
persons the opportunity to break the physical and mental confines
of their wheelchair, and through flight, the opportunity to enjoy
a new type of freedom...
The aim of the program is NOT to gain a Pilot's license. Rather,
to inspire motivation, using flying as the motivational tool.
Flight Training is a challenging task, and also a strict discipline,
but the results are very rewarding. On successful completion of the
program, it is hoped that the student can realize that if they can
fly a plane, they can achieve anything to which they set their mind.
As a bonus, students are united with persons of a similar
disability, which reinforces the idea that they are not alone, and
serves as a reminder that there are others who have found practical
solutions to an otherwise impractical lifestyle.
Brindabella Instructor James Perham with Anne Marie Howarth,
Adam Gallagher and Mal Pollard.
The aircraft chosen for the program is a Piper Cherokee, a low-wing
aircraft, modified with a hand control, used to control the rudder.
The hand control is a metal pole, connected to the instructor's left
rudder pedal and enables the pilot to control the rudder with their
right hand. Moving the pole upwards moves the rudder to the right
and moving the control downwards moves the rudder to the left.
Three students received "Wheelies with Wings" scholarships to take
part in this course. Each scholarship is worth several thousand
dollars, which allows for 15hrs of flight training, all meals,
transport and accommodation. Flight training is provided by
Canberra-based Brindabella Airlines Flight Training, and takes
place over a 15 day period, at Temora, NSW. It is important to note
that the course of flight training is the same course that able
bodied persons undertake. No exceptions are made due disability!
This is the 5th "Wheelies with Wings" in which Brindabella Airlines
Flight Training has proudly had the opportunity to participate.
Students that took part in this program were; Anne Marie Howarth
(Sydney), Adam Gallagher (Brisbane), and Mal Pollard (Bathurst).
All three are to be congratulated, as on completion of the course,
they were solo or near-solo standard. Normally, all rely on a
wheelchair for mobility, but when it comes to transport, all three
can now add "aircraft" to their list of mobility tools!
"Wheelies with Wings" needs help. WWW is a worthwhile charity
organization, and relies on donations. It also requires suitable
candidates. Check website,
wheelieswithwings.com.au for further information.
Special thanks to Temora Aero Club, for the use of their facilities,
Staff at Goldtera Motel for service above and beyond, and the
continued support of the rotary club of Temora.
Media Enquiries
James Perham
Grade 1 Instructor
Phone: (02) 6248 8711
Email: james@brindabella-airlines.com.au
BRINDABELLA CALLS CANBERRA
HOME
May 2007
Construction works starts next month on a new home for Brindabella
Airlines.
Estimated to cost more than $2 million to build, Brindabella's new
base at Canberra International Airport would accommodate its rapidly
growing regional aviation businesses.
In a joint announcement released today, Airport and Airline Managing
Directors, Mr Stephen Byron, and Ms Lara Corry-Boyd, said the decision
to build a new state of the art administrative headquarters and hangar
was prompted by on-going strong growth in Brindabella's regional
airline, charter and maintenance services.
The new 1,500 square metre base would give Brindabella the flexibility
it needs to both cope with existing demand and further expand its
regional operations, they said.
It would also deliver significant operational efficiencies and further
improve the working environment for Brindabella's growing Canberra
based staff of 40 part and full-time administrators, ground crews,
maintenance engineers and flying instructors.
Brindabella's new Airport base would take around 12 months to complete
and would feature a striking two-storey administrative centre and a
state-of-the-art hangar capable of accommodating two aircraft at any
one time.
The architectural design of Brindabella's head quarters would
compliment the strong aviation style of the Airport's award winning
Brindabella Business Park, they said.
"Brindabella Airlines is to be congratulated for its pro-active
approach to its long term business plans for the ACT. This is a
successful locally based aviation business with a bright future.
Canberra International Airport is delighted to be associated with Lara
Corry-Boyd and her team," Mr Byron said.
"Committing to this new facility gives us a secure base allowing us to
continue our expansion," said Corry-Boyd.
Brindabella Airlines operates two return weekday services to Albury,
four return weekday services to Newcastle with links from Newcastle to
Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and on to Brisbane. A limited weekend
service also operates to all ports.
Media Enquiries
Rochelle Kahlefeldt
Marketing Manager
Phone: (02) 6248 8711
Mobile: 0418 412 527
Email: rochelle@brindabella-airlines.com.au
NEW
SOUTHERN COASTAL ROUTES
August 2006
In a joint statement issued today, Executive Director of
Sunshine Express Airlines, Mr Philip Laffer, and the Chief
Executive of Brindabella Airlines, Mr Jeff Boyd, announced an
agreement had been reached for Brindabella to take over the
New South Wales coastal routes currently operated by
Queensland’s privately owned airline, Sunshine Express.
The agreement will see a seamless transition for passengers
travelling between Brisbane, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie,
utilising the same equipment and staff currently provided by
Sunshine Express. Canberra based airline Brindabella, will take
over services effective from Sunday, 1 October 2006 subject to
regulatory approvals.
Making the announcement Mr Laffer said, "We are delighted to have
reached such a mutually advantageous agreement with Brindabella
Airlines who have extremely high business standards and a strong
commitment to continue our coastal New South Wales routes".
In response, Mr Boyd of Brindabella Airlines said, "We have been
keen to expand our route network from our Newcastle base and now
this agreement with Sunshine Express allows us to further develop
our business by continuing through to Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour
and Brisbane".
"An increase in the Brindabella Airlines network is an extremely
exciting development in our business strategy. It has been a
pleasure to work with the people at Sunshine Express who have been
very conscious about looking after their passengers and their
staff", Mr Boyd said.
Brindabella is a Qantas affiliate airline and Frequent Flyer
partner. Schedules will be posted on the Brindabella Airlines
website in the coming days.
Media Enquiries
Jeff Boyd
Chief Executive
Phone: 0409 443 338
Email: jeff@brindabella-airlines.com.au
ACT TELSTRA
BUSINESS AWARDS
August 2006
Brindabella Airlines has taken home two awards at
the ACT Telstra Business Awards 2006. The Gala
awards night was held at Parliament house Friday 4 August.
Brindabella took home the Panasonic Australia accolade for
businesses with more than 20 employees but less than or
equal to 50 employees. The second award was AMP Innovation
Award. This innovation award was for the most innovative
business in the ACT. "We are extremely pleased with both
awards. The innovation award means a great deal to all
staff at Brindabella Airlines. The airline industry is
frequently changing, being able to constantly change and
adapt to the industry and also being recognised is a great
achievement". (Lara Corry-Boyd, Managing Director
Brindabella Airlines).
The Brindabella Airlines team at Parliament House
Currently located at Canberra International Airport,
Brindabella Airlines are the only airline to offer a direct
service from Canberra to Newcastle (4 return flights/day)
and Albury NSW (2 return flights/day). Brindabella Airlines
also operate a successful flying school, aircraft charter
service and aircraft maintenance business.
The Telstra Business Awards. Formerly known as the Telstra
Small Business Awards, the program was developed to help
profile Australian businesses. These awards are an
opportunity for all eligible businesses to celebrate their
achievements and seek recognition for their valued
contribution to our country.
Brindabella will now compete against other state and
territory winners at the national titles in Sydney on
September 23.
Media Enquiries
Rochelle Kahlefeldt
Marketing Manager
Phone: (02) 6248 8711
Mobile: 0418 412 527
Email: rochelle@brindabella-airlines.com.au
ACT TOURISM
AWARDS December 2005
Brindabella was proud to be an entrant in the
Rhodium ACT and Region Tourism Awards 2005.
The annual Rhodium Canberra and Capital Region
Tourism Awards provide an opportunity to showcase
the best of our region's tourism operators in
terms of product, quality and visitor experience.
Winning an award is the industry's highest accolade
- presented for excellence in tourism.
With future goals aimed at expanding the company
by increasing passengers, aircraft fleet, and
through the provision of transport connecting
regional NSW and Victoria to Canberra. Brindabella
Airlines, is a major contribution to the ACT's
tourism industry.
Winners are grinners - ACT
Tourism Awards
NEW CADETS
October 2005
There is now an exciting schools and industry
partnership between Lake Tuggeranong College and
Brindabella Airlines in the form of a Pilot Cadetship.
Students will study relevant Flight theory courses
for Private Pilots Licence and Commercial Pilots
Licence in years 11 and 12 and Brindabella Airlines
will provide them with the practical flight instruction.
Selected students will be offered a SNAP (Schools
Based Apprenticeship) or a $500 grant through
the college with the anticipation to be placed
on a cadetship program by the end of year twelve
as a Pilot with Brindabella Airlines.
Gary Lawson, the teacher of Lake Tuggeranong College's
Flight course, believes this to be "wonderful
opportunity for our students as it provides them
with a clear pathway for a career as a pilot".
Lara Corry-Boyd, the CEO of Brindabella Airlines,
is equally thrilled by the prospect of securing
pilots through this cadetship "as pilots
often pursue their career with the larger Airline
companies soon after their training from the smaller
regional airlines such as ours is completed."
The cadetship will be a first in Canberra and
allows students the opportunity to become a Commercial
Pilot with multi engine endorsement and fly as
a Captain for a minimum of three years with Brindabella
Airlines.
The scheme was officially launched by ACT Chief
Minister Jon Stanhope.
Media Enquiries
David Newling
Flying School Manager
Phone: (02) 6248 8711
Email: david@brindabella-airlines.com.au
BRINDABELLA
SPREADS ITS WINGS July
2005
Brindabella Airlines continues to spread its wings.
The Canberra based regional airline has purchased
a second 19-seat Metroliner to cater for growth
on its popular Newcastle and Albury services.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport
and Regional Services, John Anderson, officially
launched Brindabella's latest acquisition
today, Friday 10 December.
Managing Director Brindabella Airlines, Lara Corry-Boyd
said the new aircraft would enable Brindabella
to operate 10 weekday services to Albury. It would
also deliver an additional three flights to Newcastle
bringing the weekly total to fourteen.
Then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Transport and Regional Services, Hon John Anderson
launches the Metro III service to Albury
"The new Metroliner will enable Brindabella
to better service the growing needs of our customer
base particularly on the Albury route which has
excellent growth potential," she said. "It
would also provide a faster, more comfortable
and more efficient service for our customers."
The new Albury services are scheduled to begin
January next year.
The continued expansion of Brindabella's
services underlines the importance of Canberra
as a regional hub for south-eastern NSW, Managing
Director of Canberra International Airport, Stephen
Byron said.
"Direct services such as these to Newcastle
and Albury save travellers time and money because
they don't have to wait around in Sydney
or Melbourne for connections. We congratulate
Brindabella on its initiative and wish them every
success," Byron said.
One of the fastest growing regional airlines in
Australia, Brindabella has experienced significant
growth since its modest beginnings as an executive
charter service, aircraft maintenance and flight
training school to a regional airlines operating
regular flights to Albury and Newcastle. Based
at Canberra International Airport, Brindabella
employs a staff of 30 and operates 17 aircraft,
including two metroliners.
Media Enquiries
Rochelle Kahlefeldt
Marketing Manager
Phone: (02) 6248 8711
Mobile: 0418 412 527
Email: rochelle@brindabella-airlines.com.au
Brindabella Airlines Bookings:
