Aeropelican Air Services

Established in 1971, Aeropelican Air Services Pty Ltd (Aeropelican) was an Australian regional airline based at Newcastle Airport, NSW. Aeropelican primarily operated services from locations in regional NSW to Sydney Kingsford Smith as a subsidiary of Ansett. After Ansett collapsed in Sept-2001, Aeropelican was liquidated and subsequently bought by International Air Parts (IAP) in Apr-2002. The carrier began operating from its hub at Newcastle Airport in March-2004. In 2008, the airline was sold to Business Air Holdings. Aeropelican director Steve Ferris maintained ownership of the BAe Jetstream fleet through IAP. In Oct-2011, Business Air announced that Aeropelican would again be sold, this time merging with fellow regional carrier; Brindabella Airlines. Aeropelican maintained the regional service operations, utilising the BAe Jetstreams through a leasing arrangement with IAP. Aeropelican ceased operations on 24-Jun-2013 as Brindabella subsequently wound up its operations on 16-Dec-2013. Aeropelican's staff and management team later launched a new regional venture, Flypelican, following Brindabella's collapse. The new carrier operates scheduled and charter services from Aeropelican's hub Newcastle Williamtown Airport, utilising the same fleet of BAe Jetstream equipment.