The planned launch of Australia’s fourth domestic airline, OzJet, and the surge in fuel prices have not dampened the enthusiasm of one former Ansett employee to establish his own carrier.
So enthusiastic is Jens Buche that his airline, RMA Gold Airways, already has a booking engine on its website with a list of 50 destinations ranging from Sydney and Geelong’s Avalon Airport to more exotic locations such as the West Australian mining town of Paraburdoo. He also has dreams of flying internationally.
Only a few problems stand in the way. Gold Air has no aircraft, no air operator’s certificate, no launch date and no major financial backers. But Mr Buche has claimed this is all about to change as he attempts to lease a fleet of Airbus A320s.
From his home in the Melbourne suburb of Doncaster, the 54-year-old Mr Buche declined to go into detail. “I guess we’re being very coy,” he said, noting the media blackout on Gold Air’s plans to attack Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Blue and possibly OzJet.
