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Australia's second major airline, now ceased operations.
Founded
1936
Headquarters
Melbourne, Australia
Alliance
Star Alliance
Ansett Australia was one of Australia's two dominant domestic airlines, competing alongside Qantas for decades under a regulated two-airline policy. Founded by Reginald Ansett in 1936 as Ansett Airways, the carrier grew to become a major force in Australian aviation, operating extensive domestic and some international routes.
The airline underwent several ownership changes over the decades, eventually coming under the control of Air New Zealand and News Corporation. Despite efforts to modernize and expand, mounting financial difficulties, an ageing fleet, and the impact of the September 11, 2001 attacks on global aviation contributed to its collapse.
Ansett Australia entered administration in September 2001 and ceased all operations shortly thereafter, marking one of the largest corporate collapses in Australian history. The failure left thousands of employees unemployed and stranded passengers across Australia and abroad.
Hubs & network
Ansett Australia's primary hubs were Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
Fleet
Ansett operated a mixed fleet including Boeing 737s, Boeing 767s, and Airbus A320s, along with regional turboprops through subsidiary operations.
Notable facts
- ›Founded by Sir Reginald Ansett in 1936 as Ansett Airways.
- ›Operated under Australia's regulated two-airline policy alongside Qantas for much of its history.
- ›Collapsed in September 2001, becoming one of Australia's largest corporate failures.
- ›Air New Zealand and News Corporation were major shareholders at the time of collapse.
- ›Ansett was a founding member of the Star Alliance when it joined in 1999.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
