AusConnect Celebrates 40 Years!

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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

AusConnect
Connecting Australia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

# AusConnect Celebrates 40 Years of Connecting Australia

Melbourne, Australia — AusConnect is proud to celebrate 40 years of operation, marking four decades of growth, innovation, and commitment to connecting Australians across the country and around the world.

Founded in Melbourne, AusConnect began operations with a fleet of NAMC YS-11-500 aircraft, serving regional communities and building the foundations of what would become one of Australia's most important airline networks. As demand grew, the airline expanded with the acquisition of Boeing 737-200 Advanced aircraft, allowing AusConnect to increase capacity and strengthen services between key Australian cities.

In the 1990s, AusConnect entered a new era with the introduction of its first Airbus A320, a major milestone that helped reshape the airline's domestic network and support continued growth across Australia.

Today, AusConnect operates one of the country's most diverse fleets, supporting regional, domestic, and long-haul international flying. The airline's current fleet includes:

* 21 Airbus A319-100 aircraft
* 56 Airbus A320-200 aircraft
* 49 Airbus A321-200 aircraft
* 8 Boeing 747-400 aircraft
* 7 Boeing 777-200 aircraft
* 34 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft
* 138 Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 aircraft
* 49 Saab 2000 aircraft

AusConnect's regional network remains at the heart of the airline. The airline has begun replacing its Saab 2000 fleet with the Bombardier Dash 8-Q400, a move that will support improved efficiency, reliability, and long-term regional growth. The remaining 49 Saab 2000 aircraft will be progressively replaced over the coming years.

The airline is also entering a new phase of domestic and regional fleet planning with the introduction of the Embraer 190AR. A total of 32 Embraer 190AR aircraft are expected to be delivered by the end of next year. These aircraft will allow AusConnect to better serve thinner domestic and regional routes, while freeing up larger Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft to be redeployed onto higher-demand services and new network opportunities.

From 2018, AusConnect will also welcome the Embraer 195-E2 to its fleet. The aircraft is expected to replace a number of thinner, longer routes currently operated by larger aircraft, taking advantage of the E195-E2's lower fuel burn and operating costs. This will allow AusConnect to improve route economics while maintaining affordable and reliable services for customers.

AusConnect's long-haul network is also undergoing significant renewal. The airline's remaining Boeing 747-400 aircraft are being progressively retired, with all aircraft expected to leave the fleet by next year. The iconic 747s will be replaced by additional Boeing 777-200 aircraft, with eight more aircraft set to join the fleet. These will operate alongside AusConnect's growing fleet of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, strengthening the airline's ability to connect Australia with major destinations around the world.

From the end of 2019, AusConnect will begin receiving its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, with 70 aircraft on order. The arrival of the 787-9 will mark one of the most significant fleet investments in the airline's history, allowing AusConnect to substantially expand its international presence and open new long-haul routes from cities across Australia.

"This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone at AusConnect," a company spokesperson said. "For 40 years, our airline has grown with Australia. From our first regional services operated by the YS-11, to the introduction of the 737, the arrival of the A320, and now the continued expansion of our Embraer, 777 and future 787 fleets, AusConnect has always evolved to meet the needs of the communities we serve."

Based in Melbourne and operating throughout most Australian capital cities, AusConnect has grown from a regional airline into a major national and international carrier. Its mission remains clear: to connect Australians to each other, and connect Australia to the world.

Looking ahead, AusConnect will continue investing heavily in fleet renewal, route development, and aircraft right-sizing. By matching the right aircraft to the right routes, AusConnect aims to improve efficiency, support sustainable growth, and ensure Australians are able to fly where they want at affordable prices.

"Our history is something we are extremely proud of, but our focus is firmly on the future," the spokesperson added. "The next phase for AusConnect is about modernising our fleet, expanding our international reach, and continuing to provide reliable and affordable air services for regional communities and major cities across Australia."

As AusConnect celebrates 40 years in operation, the airline thanks its customers, employees, partners, and communities for their support over the past four decades.

About AusConnect
AusConnect is a Melbourne-based airline and one of Australia's leading regional, domestic, and international carriers. Operating throughout regional Australia, most Australian capital cities, and a growing global network, AusConnect is committed to connecting Australians to each other and to the world.