XJT Considering Aussie Operation

ExpressJet Executive Director-Asia Ian Vanderbeek told an Australian newspaper that the airline will either make a code-sharing deal with an existing Australian carrier or start up its own point-to-point operation. The target date for launching operations would be the end of 2008, he said. The company has held discussion with a number of carriers, Vanderbeek reported, adding if no agreement is reached, XJT might build a fleet of 20 aircraft for flights on longer, thinner routes “which will complement existing carriers’ route networks, which are currently under developed,” he said, adding the airline hoped to make an announcement in the next six months. "There's a role for this model with all existing carriers. It’s a question of how they perceive this sort of operation working.”
The carrier would not comment on the specifics of the story except to say: “We continue to evaluate opportunities abroad for ExpressJet. However, any analysis is still in the very preliminary stages.” For a complete report see the October 22 issue of Regional Aviation News.