Sydney Seaplanes, which performs sightseeing and ad hoc flights and operates start-up Alt Air, has flown from Sydney Harbour to Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin for the first time. Alt Air will commence scheduled flights to more than 10 regional New South Wales destinations from early in the second half of 2021. Alt Air will initially fly from Sydney Harbour to Palm Beach, Newcastle and Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin, reducing overall journey times for most travellers due to convenient takeoff and landing locations combined with onboarding and disembarkation timeframes of approximately 10 minutes each.

Alt Air will shave off up to four hours travel time for a typical business or government traveller on a return trip to Canberra, with three scheduled return flights planned on week days and two on weekends. Locations including Port Stephens, Gosford, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie, Wollongong, Jervis Bay, Batemans Bay, Narooma and Lake Jindabyne and the Central West are expected to join the schedule gradually from 2022.

Sydney Seaplanes CEO Aaron Shaw says: “In places like Vancouver or Seattle, seaplanes are a central component of the transport system, not just for tourism. In New South Wales we are blessed with an extraordinary wide range of inland waterways, harbours and lakes, all perfect for seaplanes and because our modern fleet is amphibious, we can also fly to any number of inland destinations west of the Blue Mountains.”

The Alt Air name was chosen to evoke the new airline's 'alternative' approach, defining a new way of travel that is green, quiet, fast, convenient and affordable. Alt Air operator Sydney Seaplanes recently agreed a world-first partnership with leading electric aircraft engine maker, magniX, and is currently seeking regulatory approval to become Australia's, and potentially the world's, first fully electric, nil-emissions commercial airline. Alt Air expects to expand its five plane fleet to around 10 planes by the first half of 2022 to accommodate increased passengers across the newly scheduled services.

Shaw continues: “Alt Air offers the best of all worlds. Our pricing will compete strongly with conventional aviation, but we'll radically reduce journey times and the hassles of a conventional flying experience. As we add more fully electric planes to our fleet once regulatory approvals are complete, passengers will also enjoy an incomparably green and quiet commercial aviation experience.”

Flights from Sydney will embark from Australia's first substantial airport at Rose Bay enjoying the unrivalled hospitality of Sydney Seaplanes Empire Lounge.

In the aftermath of COVID-19, Alt Air is expected to become a key travel option for decentralised workers increasingly blending working from home in regional and rural destinations but needing a quick and reliable commute to stay connected with work and clients in the city. “Our routes will take in some of New South Wales' most popular sea change and tree-change locations making it quicker and easier for decentralised workers to stay connected to the city,” Shaw confirms.

The new Alt Air fleet will comprise 15 seat Twin Otters and 12 seat Cessna Caravans, delivering an intimate and personalised flight experience.