Remembering Ansett Australia – 23 Years Since Its Last Flight
Today marks 23 years since Ansett Australia’s final commercial flight. Flight AN152, operated by an A320-211 (VH-HYI), departed from Perth just before midnight on March 4 and landed at Sydney Airport at 6:53 AM local time on March 5.
Founded in 1935, Ansett Australia faced challenges that led to its downfall, including intense competition from Qantas and low-cost carriers, an aging fleet, maintenance problems, and high employee wages—some of the best in the Australian aviation industry.
In 2000, Air New Zealand took full ownership of the airline, having been a 50% shareholder prior. Unfortunately, poor financial decisions made before this transition proved detrimental, leading to unsustainable operations. Ultimately, Air New Zealand had to place Ansett into voluntary administration, and efforts to sell the airline were unsuccessful.
Here’s to remembering Ansett Australia on what would have been its 90th birthday.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 23 years since the final flight of Ansett Australia. The airline’s legacy is a fascinating chapter in Australian aviation history. From its founding in 1935 to its eventual demise, Ansett was a pioneer in many ways, despite the challenges it faced in later years. It’s a reminder of how quickly the landscape can change in the airline industry, especially with evolving competition and market dynamics. Here’s to remembering the impact Ansett had on so many travelers and the aviation sector as a whole. Happy 90th Birthday, Ansett – your contributions will not be forgotten! 🛩️✈️