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Steve Jones
17th May 2010, 10:35 AM
Company press release:

Strategic Airlines to launch new services

14 May 2010

New air services between Port Hedland, Melbourne and Brisbane

Emerging Australian carrier Strategic Airlines is set to launch two new services that will open up the East Coast of Australia to the Pilbara region of Western Australia and provide the west with greater access the east coast of Australia.

From 3 August 2010, Strategic will fly weekly between Brisbane and Port Hedland on Tuesdays, with the intention of increasing to two services each week in the near future.

Strategic will also launch weekly return services between Melbourne and Port Hedland from 3 August 2010.

Strategic Airlines’ Head of Commercial Damien Vasta said the airline was working with the Town of Port Hedland, local resource companies and the community to ensure that the booming mining region continued to prosper.

“These new services demonstrate Strategic’s commitment to opening up the East Coast of Australia to the Pilbara region,” Mr Vasta said.

“The services between Port Hedland, Brisbane and Melbourne will provide faster and more affordable travel between the east and west coasts, give resource sector workers and regional residents greater access to these capital cities and help drive much needed human resources into the Pilbara.

“Much has been said about the continually growing need for workers within the Pilbara and the time and difficulty those looking for work on the East Coast experience when attempting to access the region.

“The Pilbara is one of the economic powerhouses of the nation but for too long the cost and length of travel for east coast residents to the region has been an obstacle.

“Strategic is challenging the status quo and is focussed on providing a fair and equitable service to these regional communities,” Mr Vasta said.

Mayor of Port Hedland Kelly Howlett says that her town will endeavour to support these new services in every possible way.

“The Town of Port Hedland whole-heartedly welcomes Strategic Airlines, seeing its entrance to the market as a massive boost to local tourism and economic development,” Mayor Howlett said.

“We are extremely pleased that the Town has been able to secure these services that will enable all members of the community to connect directly with popular east coast destinations.

“These new connections will undoubtedly help make Port Hedland a better connected and attractive end point destination." said Ms Howlett.

The new routes will be serviced by Strategic’s 156-seat A320 aircraft in dual configuration consisting of 12 business class seats and 144 economy seats.

Introductory sale fares of $283* oneway Brisbane-Port Hedland and $283* one-way Melbourne-Port Hedland will be available online from 24 May 2010.

[...]

Looks like it will be RPT, not just resource charter. I wonder what terminal arrangements they will have at MEL and BNE?

Chris Fox
17th May 2010, 03:06 PM
I was wondering that as well. This comes hot on the heels of QF starting MEL-KTA and SYD-KTA so will be interesting to see how it goes. Whilst the desire to fly direct is there out of PHE so is the lure of QF points and status credits. Good luck to Strategic though I think the people in town will support it 100%...

Lee G
17th May 2010, 05:42 PM
Good to see a carrier think laterally. QF with the direct flight to KTA locks that port up, however PHE is only 200km up the coast and has maybe as much influence in the mining industry.

lloyd fox
3rd August 2010, 09:42 AM
BNE-PHE started today.VC 510 was operated by VH-YQC.
They are the sixth carrier using the Common user terminal at BNE.A total of 10 carriers now use the Domestic terminal .

Steve Jones
3rd August 2010, 09:58 AM
Hi Lloyd

Any idea of the loads? Also, is the second weekly service (Sat/Sun I understand) still on the cards for later in the year?

Jarden S
3rd August 2010, 10:23 AM
Could they open up a weekly Sydney to Port Hedland route, as there is no direct competition at the moment.

Adrian B
3rd August 2010, 10:27 AM
Does anyone know when the MEL - PHE flights come on line? I checked the Strategic site and they are not up yet.

Stefan Perkas
3rd August 2010, 11:18 AM
Adrian,

The MEL-PHE got canned, unsure of reason why. Instead they will start a BNE-PHE-DPS flight.

Jarden S
3rd August 2010, 11:29 AM
Maybe they got wind of Qantas plans and decided that market is not big enough for 2 players.

lloyd fox
3rd August 2010, 03:21 PM
Steve loads are good i hear.Yes 2nd flight on a Saturday is still planned later on.

Cheers Lloyd