Kendell Airlines
Kendell Airlines was an Australian regional airline that grew from a Wagga Wagga charter and flying-school operation into a major Ansett-affiliated carrier before being merged into Regional Express in 2002.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Kendell Airlines was an Australian regional carrier whose roots lay in Premiair Aviation, a charter and flight-training business established in 1967 by aviation enthusiast Don Kendell and business partners in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. The company adopted the Kendell Airlines name in 1971, when it began scheduled passenger operations with Piper PA-31 Navajo aircraft. Its first scheduled route linked Wagga Wagga with Melbourne, and the network soon expanded to Sydney and Canberra. The airline developed by serving regional communities that connected to Australia's larger metropolitan centres. It introduced de Havilland DH.114 Heron aircraft in 1974 and Swearingen Metro II aircraft in 1979, allowing it to operate a broader range of regional routes. In 1985, Kendell became the first airline in the Southern Hemisphere to operate the Saab 340, a 34-seat turboprop that became central to its regional fleet and identity. Following deregulation of Australia's airline market, Kendell assumed the South Australian routes previously operated by Airlines of South Australia, an Ansett-owned carrier, nearly doubling its route network in early 1986. During the 1990s, Kendell became increasingly integrated with Ansett Australia. It established operating bases at Devonport, Albury and Sydney in addition to its original Wagga Wagga base, and operated many services in cooperation with Ansett. From March 1996, it flew the Capital Shuttle between Sydney and Canberra on Ansett's behalf, offering as many as 13 return flights per day. It also took over scheduled services to Coffs Harbour and Ballina that had previously been operated by Ansett. Some Saab 340 aircraft acquired during this period wore Ansett colours, reinforcing the commercial relationship between the two airlines. Kendell added its first jet aircraft, Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets, between 1999 and 2001. In 1999, it became a regional affiliate of Star Alliance, following Ansett Australia's admission to the alliance. By the end of the 1990s, Kendell was described as Australia's largest regional airline, with services linking regional centres in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania with Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The collapse of Ansett Australia on 14 September 2001 placed Kendell into administration. Although it continued operating a reduced schedule, the airline also provided selected services in the temporary gap created by Ansett's failure, including Sydney–Canberra–Melbourne and Melbourne–Mount Gambier–Adelaide. Kendell was acquired by Australiawide Airlines in July 2002. On 1 August 2002, it was merged with fellow former Ansett subsidiary Hazelton Airlines to create Regional Express, ending Kendell Airlines as a standalone brand. Its significance survives through the regional network, operating experience and aircraft assets that contributed to Regional Express's formation.
History
Kendell Airlines began in 1967 as Premiair Aviation, a Wagga Wagga-based charter operator and flying school founded by Don Kendell and partners. The business moved into scheduled regional passenger service in 1971, when it adopted the Kendell Airlines name and launched a Wagga Wagga–Melbourne route using Piper PA-31 Navajo aircraft. Sydney and Canberra were added soon afterward, establishing the airline's basic role as a connector between regional New South Wales and the principal cities of southeastern Australia. Fleet development supported the company's expansion. Kendell introduced de Havilland DH.114 Heron aircraft in 1974 and Swearingen Metro II aircraft in 1979, with the latter helping the airline respond to higher operating costs following the Second Oil Crisis. The Herons were used on additional New South Wales services, including routes to Merimbula and Cooma. On 25 February 1985, Kendell introduced the Saab 340 and became the first airline in the Southern Hemisphere to operate the type. The Saab 340 subsequently became one of the airline's defining aircraft. Australian airline deregulation created a major growth opportunity. In early 1986, Kendell took over the South Australian routes of Airlines of South Australia, an Ansett-owned carrier. This change nearly doubled Kendell's route network and strengthened its position in the regional market. Through the 1990s, the airline added operating bases at Devonport, Albury and Sydney alongside Wagga Wagga. Its growing integration with Ansett Australia meant that many flights were coordinated with, branded alongside or operated on behalf of the larger carrier. A prominent example was the Capital Shuttle, introduced in March 1996 for high-frequency travel between Sydney and Canberra. The service offered as many as 13 return flights per day. Kendell also took over scheduled services to Coffs Harbour and Ballina that had formerly been operated by Ansett. Some Saab 340s acquired during this era were painted in Ansett colours. In 1999, Kendell became a regional affiliate of Star Alliance, reflecting Ansett Australia's position within the global alliance. The airline entered the regional jet era between 1999 and 2001 by taking delivery of Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft, its first jets. At the height of its development, Kendell was regarded as Australia's largest regional airline and served major regional centres across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from metropolitan bases including Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Kendell's dependence on Ansett also exposed it to the consequences of the parent company's failure. When Ansett collapsed on 14 September 2001, Kendell was placed into administration. It continued flying a limited schedule and temporarily operated selected services that became important after Ansett's withdrawal, including Sydney–Canberra–Melbourne and Melbourne–Mount Gambier–Adelaide. The airline was acquired by Australiawide Airlines in July 2002. On 1 August 2002, it was combined with Hazelton Airlines, another Ansett subsidiary, to form Regional Express. This merger ended Kendell Airlines as an independent operating brand.
- 2002
Merger creates Regional Express
[1]Australiawide Airlines acquires Kendell and merges it with Hazelton Airlines to establish Regional Express on 1 August.
- 2001
Ansett collapse and administration
[1]Ansett's failure places Kendell into administration, although limited services continue.
- 1999
Star Alliance affiliation and jet transition
[1]Kendell becomes a Star Alliance regional affiliate and begins the period in which Bombardier CRJ200 jets enter its fleet.
- 1996
Capital Shuttle begins
[1]Kendell starts operating Ansett's high-frequency Sydney–Canberra service.
- 1986
South Australian network acquired
[1]Kendell takes over Airlines of South Australia's routes following Australian airline-market deregulation.
- 1985
Saab 340 introduced
[1]Kendell becomes the first Southern Hemisphere airline to operate the 34-seat Saab 340.
- 1979
Swearingen Metro II operations begin
[1]The airline adds Swearingen Metro II aircraft during a period of higher fuel costs.
- 1974
Heron aircraft enter service
[1]Kendell adds de Havilland DH.114 Heron aircraft and expands to routes including Merimbula and Cooma.
- 1971
Scheduled passenger operations begin
[1]The company is renamed Kendell Airlines and starts scheduled Wagga Wagga–Melbourne service with Piper PA-31 Navajo aircraft.
- 1967
Premiair Aviation is founded
[1]Don Kendell and partners establish a charter and flight-training business in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.
Products and positioning
A regional Australian airline focused on connecting inland and regional communities with major metropolitan airports, with a strong operational and commercial relationship with Ansett Australia.
Regional airline transportation · 1971
Scheduled regional passenger services
Kendell's principal offering was scheduled regional air travel linking communities in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania with Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The network evolved from its original Wagga Wagga routes and expanded through fleet modernization, Ansett cooperation and the acquisition of South Australian regional services.
High-frequency regional air service · 1996
Capital Shuttle
The Capital Shuttle was a high-frequency Sydney–Canberra service operated for Ansett from March 1996. It was designed for business and government travel between Australia's largest city and the national capital and operated at a frequency of up to 13 return flights per day.
Aviation services · 1967
Air charter and flight training
Before becoming a scheduled passenger carrier, the business operated as Premiair Aviation, providing air charter services and flight training from Wagga Wagga. These activities formed the operational base from which the scheduled airline developed.
Brand decisions
2002
Merge Kendell with Hazelton AirlinesM&ABackground
The collapse of Ansett left its regional subsidiaries requiring new ownership and a consolidated operating structure.
Action taken
Australiawide Airlines acquired Kendell in July 2002 and merged it with Hazelton Airlines on 1 August 2002.
Aftermath
The transaction created Regional Express and ended Kendell Airlines as a standalone airline brand.
1999
Begin Bombardier CRJ200 regional-jet operationsProduct launchBackground
Regional aviation was moving toward faster jet equipment, and Kendell was expanding its role within the Ansett network.
Action taken
Kendell took delivery of Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft during the 1999–2001 period, introducing jet aircraft to its fleet for the first time.
Aftermath
The jet transition was interrupted by the collapse of Ansett and Kendell's subsequent administration and merger into Regional Express.
1996
Operate the Capital Shuttle for AnsettStrategyBackground
Ansett sought a high-frequency regional service between Sydney and Canberra, while Kendell had the aircraft and operating capability to serve the route.
Action taken
Kendell began operating the Capital Shuttle from March 1996 and later assumed additional Ansett-associated regional services.
Aftermath
The arrangement deepened Kendell's integration with Ansett and contributed to its metropolitan-base expansion.
1985
Adopt the Saab 340 for regional operationsProduct launchBackground
Kendell needed a modern regional aircraft for network growth and passenger operations. The Saab 340 offered a larger and more contemporary turboprop platform than the airline's earlier equipment.
Action taken
The airline introduced the 34-seat Saab 340 on 25 February 1985 and became the first Southern Hemisphere operator of the type.
Aftermath
The Saab 340 became a central part of Kendell's fleet and was used extensively during its expansion and Ansett affiliation.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Textron Aviation acquires Premiair Aviation service facilities[2]
Reported:
Textron Aviation acquired Premiair Aviation's three service facilities in Australia.
Sources2 sources
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