Can a Koala learn to fly?

One need only look at the wreckage of airlines like OzJet, Air Australia, JetGo, Tigerair, and most recently Bonza (not to mention Rex’s failed domestic 737 operations) to know that making a serious tilt at bringing a new carrier to the Australian market is tough – and yet, Koala Airlines, a venture by aviation industry veteran Bill Astling, is aiming to do just that.

Koala, which obtained its Air Operator’s Certificate from the purchase of Desert Air Safaris, is looking to get the AOC upgraded to support its plans for leased 737 MAX 8 jets, with the hope that the first three will arrive in Australia next year and be followed in batches of two or three after that until it has at least 20 planes in the air. The carrier aims to be up and running by the end of next year, and according to its founder and chief executive, Bill Astling, its main pitch will be as a feeder airline for overseas tourists.

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