Alliance Airlines

Airline of Australia

Not to be confused with the Indian carrier Alliance Air (India), the defunct Alliance Air (Uganda), Airline alliance or Star Alliance.

Alliance Airlines

An Alliance Airlines Fokker 100

| IATA | ICAO | Call sign

|
|

QQ  | UTY  | UNITY
Founded| 5 April 2002; 23 years ago (2002-04-05)
Operating bases|

* Adelaide
* Brisbane
* Cairns
* Darwin
* Perth
* Rockhampton
* Townsville

Fleet size| 76[1]
Destinations| 46[2]
Parent company| Alliance Aviation Services (ASX listed; 20% owned by Qantas)
Headquarters| Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Key people|

* Scott McMillan ( Managing Director)
* Stewart Tully (Chief Executive Officer)

Website| www.allianceairlines.com.au

Alliance Airlines Pty Limited is an Australian airline based at Brisbane Airport in Brisbane, Queensland, with operational bases in Adelaide, Cairns, Perth, Townsville, Darwin, and Rockhampton. Alliance Airlines owns and operates a fleet of Fokker and Embraer jet aircraft: Fokker 70, Fokker 100 and Embraer 190. Alliance runs fly-in fly-out (FIFO) air charter services for the Australian mining and resources industry, as well as private aircraft charters throughout Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and South East Asia. Alliance also provides aircraft component sales and leasing worldwide.[3]

## History

[edit]

Alliance Airlines was established in 2002 when Brisbane based Queensland Airline Holdings acquired the AOC (Air Operator's Certificate) and assets of the dormant Flight West Airlines,[4] which had been established in May 1987 and ceased scheduled services in 2001. Alliance commenced operations with two Fokker 100 aircraft[5] and has since expanded its fleet and operational capabilities to service the growing demand from the mining and energy sector. It is a subsidiary of Alliance Aviation Services that was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2011 and now has approximately 1450 full-time equivalent employees.[6]

Alliance was recognised as the first aircraft operator in Australia to attain Flight Safety Foundation Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) Gold Status in 2013[7]

In November 2015, Alliance announced the purchase of 6 Fokker 70 and 15 Fokker 100 aircraft from Austrian Airlines.[8] In 2016, the airline was recognised as the first regional aircraft operator in Australia to attain IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification.[9] In November 2018, Alliance was awarded CAPA Asia Pacific Regional Airline of the Year.[10]

In February 2019, Qantas acquired a 19.9% shareholding.[11][12]

In August 2020, Alliance announced a deal to purchase 14 Embraer E190 jets adding to their current fleet and then in December 2020 ordered a further 16 more Embraer E190 jets bringing their total to 30. The first E190, named Brazilian Lad was received by the airline on 29 October 2020 at Brisbane Airport and was expected to enter service in February 2021.

In May 2022, Alliance announced it had agreed terms to be taken over by Qantas. The deal was subject to regulatory and shareholder approval[13] and in April 2023, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission opposed the takeover, and it was subsequently abandoned by both companies.[14][15]

On 27 February 2023, Alliance announced it would purchase an additional 30 E190s from Aercap for delivery between September 2023 and January 2026,[16] most if not all of which being ex-jetBlue E-jets.[17] The aircraft will be initially certified and maintained at their new base in Rockhampton, Queensland.[16]

## Services

[edit]

### Scheduled services

[edit]

As of August 2024[update], Alliance operates some routes under its own name but the majority of its services are fly-in fly-out.[18] These include:

* Adelaide to Olympic Dam
* Brisbane to Weipa
* Brisbane to Moranbah
* Cairns to Weipa
* Cairns to Groote Eylandt
* Perth to Kalgoorlie

### Fly-in fly-out

[edit]

Alliance Airlines operates fly-in fly-out air services (FIFO) to over 20 mine sites[19] and services mining projects in Australia including Ballera, Cannington, Cloncurry, Cape Preston, Leinster, Mount Keith, Phosphate Hill, Telfer, Barimunya, Coondewanna, Newman, Leonora, Century Mine and The Granites.[20]

### Aircraft lease

[edit]

* Qantas; using 30 Embraer 190s under a wet lease from mid 2021 under a seven-year deal to operate routes under the QantasLink brand:[21][22][23]
* Virgin Australia; using Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 aircraft under a wet lease agreement[24]
* Airnorth; using 5 Embraer E190 aircraft under a dry lease agreement[25]

### Aircraft charters

[edit]

Alliance Airlines provides aircraft charters throughout Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and South East Asia.[citation needed]

## Fleet

[edit]

Alliance Airlines Embraer 190 Alliance Airlines Fokker 70 Alliance Airlines Fokker 100

### Current fleet

[edit]

As of June 2025[update], Alliance Airlines operates the following aircraft:[1][26]

Alliance Airlines fleet Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Passengers | Notes

|
|
|
|

J | Y | Total
Embraer 190 | 14  | —  | 10  | 84  | 94  | Former Copa Airlines aircraft.[27]
All aircraft to be wetleased to QantasLink[28]
16  | —  | 9  | 88  | 97  | Former American Airlines aircraft[29]
All aircraft are wetleased to QantasLink[23]
15  | 20  | —  | 100  | 100  | Former Pionair, Helvetic Airways, jetBlue & AerCap aircraft[30][31][32]
Fokker 70 | 12  | —  | —  | 80  | 80  |
Fokker 100 | 25  | —  | —  | 100  | 100  |
Total  | 82  | 20  |

### Former fleet

[edit]

Alliance Airlines has also previously operated the following aircraft types:[1]

* Boeing 737-400 \- 2 aircraft (2012–2013, wet leased from Airwork)
* Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia \- 3 aircraft (2002–2003, inherited from Flight West Airlines, sold to Skippers Aviation)
* Fokker 50 \- 8 aircraft (2007–2022)

## See also

[edit]

* List of airlines of Australia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Alliance Airlines Fleet Details". Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
2. ^ "Where We Fly". www.allianceairlines.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
3. ^ McMillan, Scott (12 December 2016). "Alliance executes extension of contract with CITIC Pacific Mining". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
4. ^ "Queensland Premier clears Alliance Airlines, Australia's newest carrier, for take off - Latest Travel News - July 2002 - ASIA Travel Tips.com". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
5. ^ "Alliance Airlines - Our History". Alliance Airlines. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
6. ^ "IBISWorld - Industry Market Research, Reports, and Statistics". www.ibisworld.com. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
7. ^ "BARS News - First aircraft operators achieve Gold registration status". Flight Safety. 28 May 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
8. ^ Schofield, Lee (25 November 2015). "Alliance Aviation creates new business and establishes a European presence" (PDF). Alliance Airlines. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
9. ^ "IATA - Alliance Airlines Pty Ltd". IATA. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
10. ^ "JAL, Thai Lion, Saudia, flyadeal scoop 2018 CAPA Asia Pacific Aviation Awards for Excellence". CAPA - Centre for Aviation. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
11. ^ Debrief Australian Aviation March 2019 page 15
12. ^ Qantas stake in Alliance Airlines raises concerns Archived 31 March 2020 at the Wayback Machine Australian Competition & Consumer Commission 1 August 2019
13. ^ . However, in 2023 both Alliance and QANTAS announced the termination of the deal due to not coming to agreed terms. Alliance enters scheme of implementation deed with Qantas Airways Limited Archived 5 May 2022 at the Wayback Machine Alliance Aviation Services 5 May 2022
14. ^ ACCC opposes Qantas' acquisition of Alliance Australian Competition & Consumer Commission 20 April 2023
15. ^ Competition watchdog rejects Qantas' acquisition of Alliance Sydney Morning Herald 20 April 2023
16. ^ a b "Fleet acquisition of an additional 30 E190 Aircraft" (PDF). Alliance Aviation Services Limited (published 27 February 2023). 27 February 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
17. ^ Meier, Ricardo (27 February 2023). "Alliance Aviation completes purchase of 30 used E190 jets from the US - Air Data News". www.airdatanews.com. Retrieved 25 March 2025.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
18. ^ "Where We Fly". www.allianceairlines.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
19. ^ "Alliance Airlines - Where We Fly". Alliance Airlines. Archived from the original on 9 June 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
20. ^ Dyer, Matthew (12 September 2015). "Alliance Aviation signs new 5-year contract" (PDF). Alliance Airlines. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
21. ^ "NEW ROUTES, MORE FLIGHTS AS JETS TO CALL ADELAIDE HOME". Qantas. 7 May 2021. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
22. ^ "QANTAS ADDS SEVEN NEW ROUTES AND PUTS DREAMLINER ON DOMESTIC". Qantas. 25 May 2021. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
23. ^ a b "Qantas to bump E190 fleet by YE24 - Alliance Air". Ch-aviation. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
24. ^ "Virgin Australia orders six incremental B737-8s". Ch-aviation. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
25. ^ McMilan, Scott (28 November 2023). "Alliance Aviation Services Limited (ASX code: AQZ) 2023 Annual General Meeting Managing Director's Address" (PDF) (Press release). Alliance Aviation Services Limited. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
26. ^ Authority, Civil Aviation Safety (24 June 2021). "Aircraft register search". Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
27. ^ "Alliance pounces on planes deal, buying 14 Embraer jets". The Australian. 3 August 2020. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
28. ^ "QANTAS AND ALLIANCE AVIATION TERMINATE ACQUISITION PLANS, AGREE ON MORE AIRCRAFT". Qantas Newsroom. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
29. ^ "Alliance scoop up another 16 Embraer E190 jets". Executive Traveller. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
30. ^ "Alliance acquires an additional two E190 aircraft". AVIATOR. 28 June 2021. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
31. ^ "Alliance Plans To Grow Fleet By Purchasing E190s From AerCap | Aviation Week Network". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
32. ^ "Pionair Australia puts only E190 up for sale". www.ch-aviation.com. 18 November 2021. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.

## External links

[edit]

Media related to Alliance Airlines at Wikimedia Commons

* Official website

Portals:

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Airlines of Australia

Scheduled|

| Major|

* Qantas
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|

Minor|

* Air Link
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Charter|

* Aircruising Australia
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Cargo|

* ASL Airlines Australia
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Defunct|

* Aboriginal Air Services
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Members of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia

* Air Link
* Airnorth
* Alliance Airlines
* Aviair
* Link Airways
* Maroomba Airlines
* Par Avion
* Rex Airlines
* Regional Pacific Airlines
* RFDS Central Operations
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* RFDS Queensland Section
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Qantas

Main airline|

* Accidents
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* History
* 2011 industrial disputes
* Fleet
* Longreach Hangar
* Museum
* Routes
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Wholly owned subsidiaries|

* QantasLink
* Eastern Australia Airlines
* National Jet Systems
* Sunstate Airlines
* Network Aviation
* Express Freighters Australia
* Jetstar

Partly owned airlines|

* Alliance Airlines (20%)
* Fiji Airways (46%)
* Jetstar Japan (33%)

Affiliate airlines|

* Airnorth

Defunct airlines|

* Australian Airlines (formerly TAA)
* Australia Asia Airlines
* Australian Airlines
* Impulse Airlines
* Jetconnect
* Jetstar Asia (49%)
* Jetstar Hong Kong (33%)
* Qantas New Zealand (franchise)
* TEAL (23%)

Other services|

* Australian airExpress
* Qantas Freight
* Qantas Defence Services
* QIK
* Qudos Bank
* TripADeal

Former subsidiaries|

* Jetstar Pacific (30%)
* StarTrack (50%)
* Wentworth Hotel

Miscellaneous|

* Qantas Frequent Flyer
* Qantas House
* Qantas The Australian Way

Accidents and incidents|

* Fatal accidents
* Short Empire shootdown (1942)
* Flight LW (1951)
* Flight 755 (1971)
* Flight 1 (1999)
* Flight 1737 (2003)
* Flight 30 (2008)
* Flight 72 (2008)
* Flight 32 (2010)

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Aircraft leasing companies

Current|

* AerCap Holdings N.V.
* Air Lease Corporation
* Air Transport Services Group Inc.
* Aircastle Limited
* AirTanker Services Limited
* ALAFCO
* Alliance Airlines Pty Limited
* Avation PLC
* Avion Express
* Avolon
* BBAM LLC
* BOC Aviation
* Boeing Capital
* Burnham Sterling and Company
* Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd
* FLY Leasing
* Intrepid Aviation
* Kalara International Properties
* Lease Corporation International
* Libra Group
* Milestone Aviation Group
* Nomura Babcock & Brown Co. Ltd.
* Nordic Aviation Capital
* Saab Aircraft Leasing
* SkyWest, Inc.
* SMBC Aviation Capital

Defunct|

* GE Capital Aviation Services
* Genesis Lease Limited
* Guinness Peat Aviation

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