Regional uprising

Key players expand in the regional airline sphere

Australia’s regional airline landscape is heading for its biggest shakeup since the collapse of Ansett in 2011 with new players, aircraft and personality shifts creating a fascinating, if potentially turbulent, landscape.

QantasLink is flexing its considerable muscle; its parent is finally moving into FIFO, Alliance Airlines is planning expansion while Virgin Australia has teamed with Skywest to develop turboprop services into regional centres.