Strategic Air, one of the most recent to connect between Phuket and the popular Australian market, is reported to be under financial pressure as its charter arm lost a $30 million-a-year contract amid a police investigation.
Just last month, Strategic launched new Phuket-Melbourne and Phuket-Brisbane routes as it arrived on the island offering full-service flights. Early reports have been positive.
The relatively new airline filled the breach when V Australia decided it could use its aircraft on the Phuket-Australia run more effectively on Australia-US routes.
Today the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported that Strategic is now reliant on making a profit from its commercial flights in Australia and south-east Asia after its charter arm, Strategic Aviation, lost its key contract with the Australian Defence Force to fly troops and military cargo to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
The Australian Federal Police confirmed last week that an investigation is continuing into whether criminal offences occurred in the awarding of the Defence tender to Strategic Aviation in 2005.
Strategic, which gained its air operators certificate in September 2009, is owned by its 34-yearold chief executive, Michael James.
''We are quite happy to answer any questions because we believe there is no wrongdoing whatsoever,'' Mr James is reported as saying.
Phuket Gains Strategic Aussie AdvantageJust last month, Strategic launched new Phuket-Melbourne and Phuket-Brisbane routes as it arrived on the island offering full-service flights. Early reports have been positive.
The relatively new airline filled the breach when V Australia decided it could use its aircraft on the Phuket-Australia run more effectively on Australia-US routes.
Today the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported that Strategic is now reliant on making a profit from its commercial flights in Australia and south-east Asia after its charter arm, Strategic Aviation, lost its key contract with the Australian Defence Force to fly troops and military cargo to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
The Australian Federal Police confirmed last week that an investigation is continuing into whether criminal offences occurred in the awarding of the Defence tender to Strategic Aviation in 2005.
Strategic, which gained its air operators certificate in September 2009, is owned by its 34-yearold chief executive, Michael James.
''We are quite happy to answer any questions because we believe there is no wrongdoing whatsoever,'' Mr James is reported as saying.
Latest The first flight from Melbourne to Phuket by Aussie owned airline Strategic arrives on Phuket today, and the celebrations start soon after. Brisbane Phuket follows soon.
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Phuket 'Triple Tourism' Boom Needs Strategy, Says MP
