note
Airline founded by Sir Reginald Miles Ansett after state government of Victoria put his private transport company out of business. First flight was operated in February 1936 from Hamilton to Melbourne using Fokker Universal Aircraft. During World War II all passanger operations were suspended and Ansett concentrated on contract work for US Air Force. After the war, Ansett Airways re-established its domestic network using surplus Douglas DC-3s. In October 1958 Ansett Airways took over ailing domestic carrier ANA (Australian National Airlines) and adopted new name Ansett ANA. After this take-over, Ansett purchased its first turboprops Vickers Viscounts and Lockheed Electras. First jet was introduced in November 1964 when Ansetts Boeing 727 was delivered. In November 1968 Ansett ANA changed its name to Ansett Airlines of Australia. Ansett and TAA were only domestic competitors since government pursued two airline policy and regulated import of airliners. TAA and Ansett operated same routes for same price. In May 1983 first wide-body aircraft, a Boeing 767 joined the fleet. In 1987 Ansett established its New Zealand subsidiary Ansett New Zealand. Although traditionnaly domestic carrier, Ansett started international service in 1990s thanks largely to the deregulation of Australia's civil aviation industry. Flights to Japan, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Fiji and Singapore were operated up until airline's demise in 2001 using Boeing 767 and 747 aircraft.
In 2000 Air New Zealand bought News Corporation shares in Ansett and became sole owner. Both airlines continued to operate as separate entities. Ansett was bigger airline at that time and was bleeding money. Air New Zealand was not able to cut costs at Ansett and had to be rescued by New Zealands government. Australian governmemt did not want to rescue Ansett. In September 2001 Ansett entered voluntary administration (chapter 11 bankruptcy protection). On September 14 all flights were grounded. In October some limited domestic service resumed.
An icon of Australian aviation, ended its existence after 5 months of legal quivering over its future. Tesna syndicate withdrew its bid to revive the airline in the end. Singapore Airlines and Virgin Blue did express interest in some assets of the airline, but decline to resurect it. On March 4 2002, Ansett operated its last flight from Perth to Sydney.
founded - demised (age)
1935 - March 4 2002 (67)
headquarters
501 Swanston St., Melbourne
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
