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Is Australia finally getting its answer to Ryanair? Modelled on Europe’s iconic low-cost carrier, the newly unveiled Zinc Airlines is plotting to become Australia’s first independent ultra-low-cost carrier. Backing the project is former Qantas executive Peter Kelly, who is currently raising $100 million in equity capital to launch the airline at the new, curfew-free Western Sydney International Airport. Zinc promises to offer the cheapest domestic tickets across our nation’s busiest domestic routes, starting with connections from Sydney to Melbourne and Brisbane.
Aussie airlines don’t have a great track record of breaking into the Qantas-Virgin duopoly. Past casualties like Bonza, Tiger Airways and Rex all faced the same challenges, including slot constraints and curfews at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport, thin networks and inefficient aircraft utilisation. By launching out of the brand-new, 24/7 Western Sydney International Airport, Zinc hopes to bypass each of these pitfalls.
To keep costs super low, the budget carrier will operate a single fleet of new Airbus A321neo aircraft in a 232-seat all-economy configuration. This strategy will reduce training, maintenance, spares and scheduling costs, with fuel efficiency central to keeping fares at a minimum – well below those of Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar.
During its launch year, Zinc Airlines plans to focus on the high-traffic "Golden Triangle" routes connecting Western Sydney International with Melbourne and Brisbane. By year four, it intends to scale up, serving five airports across seven route pairs as it welcomes the Gold Coast and Adelaide.
With fundraising now underway, only time will tell if Zinc Airlines can make it to the runway.