OzJet suspends operations, effective immediately

[Rhys Xanthis]

AIRLINE OzJet has suspended operating its 737 fleet from Perth, the carrier confirmed tonight.

OzJet Airlines offered flights from Peth to Derby and Bali.

Passengers reportedly have been left in the lurch by the sudden suspension over more then $200,000 in unpaid fees owed Perth Airport.

OzJet tonight released a statement saying monies outstanding had been substantially reduced recently, following the purchase of the airline from its previous owner European Aviation in May last year.

It blamed the suspension of its Perth fleet on a lack of revenue from the airline's being unable to add cargo aircraft to its air operator's agreement, which had had a significant impact on its business plan.

It said subsequent monies owed from one of the airline’s primary customers, IndoJet, had further exacerbated the situation.

As a result, OzJet Airlines had sub-contracted Alliance Airlines to continue operating its Perth-Derby route and other general charter obligations.

"This has in effect immediately and substantially reduced OzJet’s overhead expenses," OzJet said.

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25514422-2761,00.html

[Torin Wilson]

Source: Travel plans in disarray as OzJet grounded (http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=142961)

Passengers at Perth Airport are furious after their travel plans were thrown into disarray today.
The effective grounding of OzJet’s operations in Perth over unpaid airport charges has affected thousands of Bali holiday makers.

.......

Perth Airport chief executive Brad Geatches told thewest.com.au that it would not process its passengers because the airport was owed more than $200,000 in back payments.

Also 4 737-200s are up for sale.

http://www.aircraftdealer.com/dealerdirectory/12650.htm

Description Price TTAF State Country Reg. No. Serial No.
1974 Boeing B737-229 ADV PAX $625,000.00 71055 FL US VH-OZD 20911
1975 Boeing B737-229 ADV PAX $695,000.00 63613 FL US VH-OZX 21177
1975 Boeing B737-229 ADV PAX $625,000.00 65729 FL US VH-OBN 21137
1975 Boeing B737-229 ADV PAX $695,000.00 63109 FL US VH-OZU 21176

[Gerard M]

How did you find out that the planes were for sale too?

[Dan Hammond]

Im a bit confused, does this mean they are finished or just on some services?

[Peter Agatsiotis]

On another forum news is that the whole airline has been sold to Heavylift Cargo airlines.

[Gerard M]

I found this article which suggests, from the date it was written (6/05/2008), that the company was sold to Heavylift last year? Would that be right or did the sale no go through until recently? If so, does that mean heavylift have canned it too?

http://www.travelweekly.com.au/articles/d0/0c0564d0.asp

...OzJet has been sold to freight carrier, Heavylift Cargo Airlines, in a multi-million dollar deal with the new owners already planning new routes.

Heavylift chief executive Nick Leach acquired former Ozjet owner Paul Stoddart’s 97.4 per cent shareholding after six weeks’ of negotiations....

[Carsten Bauer]

From that sales website, I've found one of my airliners.net images, and also one belonging to Anthony Jackson.

Emailed them asking for a please explain. Have mesg'ed AJ also informing him.

Anyway, everybody knew it was going to happen, just a matter of time.

Who's next in Perth? Skywest? Alliance? Cobham? Network?

[Rhys Xanthis]

skywest services too many regional ports to leave imo...it would be saved one way or the other.

alliance i doubt, they have mining charters and also lease agreements with QF providing some cash (although now i think, these F100 leases might be finished?)

[Adrian B]

From that sales website, ?


Nice to see they can spell :

Available From: Sidney, Australia

[Dan Hammond]

It will be interesting to see what kind of response you get Carsten

[Carsten Bauer]

Response I got from a John Poindexter from the Sale's company was they were sent the images. Maybe someone from OzJet, in which case I'm not going to worry too much about it. They would have more important things on their minds.

Have explained new images can be sent, as long as Photographer details are included.

[Bruce Bramwell]

Heavylift's B727-100F is also up for sale

[Bob C]

For your sake Carsten, I hope it's not Cobham !

[NickN]

Yeah this country needs 146's.....

[Brenden S]

Carsten, I would be asking for some money, dont give your photos away for free. Interesting considering how he purchased VLH for cheap and selling it for that price. Good aircraft though. As for who is next, I do know Skywest are running a tad thin. Alliance have some contracts to keep them going, they have laid off some staff recently. No more QF contracts for them though (unless that one in QLD is still going) Cobham have to much backing (same to with skywest)

[lloyd fox]

Alliance have contracts out of ADL,BNE,TSV,CNS as well as PER .Not all their eggs are in one basket (Perth) .

The BNE-MKY QF contract ends next month.

[Bruce Bramwell]

Carsten, I would be asking for some money, dont give your photos away for free. Interesting considering how he purchased VLH for cheap and selling it for that price. Good aircraft though. As for who is next, I do know Skywest are running a tad thin. Alliance have some contracts to keep them going, they have laid off some staff recently. No more QF contracts for them though (unless that one in QLD is still going) Cobham have to much backing (same to with skywest)

Brenden I dont think money should be the issue... The issue is the photo's being used without credit and obviously been chopped.

[Arthur Boy]

Having traversed the path it appears O7 employees may be heading for I offer 2 pieces of timely advice.

1. The day you find yourself officially unemployed is the SAME DAY you contact Centrelink. Reason, this is the the date from which you will start to receive whatever benefit you may be entitled to (known henceforth as your 'Entitlement Date'). Not doing this on the day WILL COST YOU.

2. When the Administrator recommends the company be wound up (sod all assets, nobody interested in inheriting the corpse/debt) and is placed into Receivership, you will be entitled to G.E.E.R.S. This is where the government will pay a proportion of your entitlemments, but not Super (if the employer has not paid up to date of closure, and they usually havent, you can kiss those $$$ goodbye....). The only bugbear here is this can take some months depending on what the Receiver finds and how fast he works.

You will find this link pretty much explains the G.E.E.R.S. story.....

http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Programmes/EmployeeEntitlements/GEERSV2/HowyourGEERSclaimwillbeassessed.htm

Having been there I cant stress the importance of '1' enough.

Good luck, you will need it.

Arty.