Department of Transportation Set to Approve Skytraders US Flights

The US Department of Transportation intends to approve an application by Skytraders to operate charter flights between Australia and the United States.

In late June, Skytraders requested an exemption under 49 U.S.C. §40109 and a foreign air carrier permit under 49 U.S.C. §41301 to fly “persons, property and mail” between the two countries.

Skytraders wants to operate passenger charter flights between Melbourne (MEL) – Los Angeles Van Nuys (VNY) using A319-100 aircraft.

The airline specialises in providing technically complex flights for the Australian Government and charter clients. Its seven aircraft now operate for the Australian Antarctic Division, the Australian Defence Force’s Parachuting School, Victoria Police, Headquarters Joint Operations Command, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

The application did not say why Skytraders wanted to operate the US flights or who the client was.

“We find that grant of this authority is consistent with the public interest,” the department’s decision reads. “We also find that the applicant has demonstrated, based on the record, that it is financially and operationally qualified to perform the services authorised, and that it is substantially owned and effectively controlled by (Australian) homeland nationals.”

“We also note that the applicant is properly licensed by its homeland to perform the proposed services,” it continues. “In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration advised us that it knew of no reason why we should act unfavourably on the applicant’s requests. We have verified the applicant’s compliance with 14 CFR Parts 203 (Warsaw liability waiver), and 205 (insurance requirements).”

“In view of the above, we find that the grant of the requested exemption authority, as conditioned, for a two-year term, or until the requested permit authority becomes effective, whichever occurs earlier, is warranted.”

The department’s notice gives any person or entity objecting to the planned approval twenty-one days to lodge their objections, along with “testimony, statistical data, and concrete evidence” to support their arguments.

Notably to date, no parties have objected to Skytrader’s application.

The airline has not commented publicly on its application.

You can read the US Department of Transportation's show cause notice here.

Photo: Skytraders.