Arcacian buys Australian

The Arcacian Airlines Group Ltd. has today announced that they have finalised the purchase of the Australian Airlines brand from Qantas.

Australian Airlines started as Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) in 1946. In 1986 it changed its name to Australian Airlines and operated as Australia's second domestic airline, at one time overtaking Qantas in popularity. It merged with Qantas in 1993 and was subsequently absorbed, closing down in 1996. The brand was revived in 2001 as a full-service economy airline operating a fleet of 767s in a ghastly orange livery to Australian and Asian destinations, but ceased operation for good in 2006.

Australian Airlines is now back in business thanks to the deal that saw Arcacian Airlines purchase the name and associated rights for an undisclosed amount. The new Australian Airlines will use the familiar "Little Australian" livery seen on the original airline in the 1980s and 90s and will fly to destinations in Australia and New Zealand. The airline is expected to compete with Qantas and Virgin Blue, and may even push Tiger Airways out of the market as it offers fares comparable to those of Tiger, flies to more destinations and is full service. Australian Airlines also has business class, which Tiger does not. Australian Airlines will operate a fleet of Boeing 737-400s and Embraer ERJ-145s.



Ad for the original Australian Airlines in 1986. This tearjerker was used to introduce Australians to the new brand after the airline changed its name from the highly trusted TAA: