Kendell Airlines

Kendell Airlines

Company type	Regional airline
Industry	Aviation
Predecessor	Premiair Aviation
Founded	1967
Founder	Don Kendell and associates
Defunct	2002
Fate	Purchased by Australiawide Airlines and merged with Hazelton Airlines to form Regional Express (Rex)
Headquarters	Wagga Wagga , Australia
Area served	New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania
Key people	Don Kendell (founder)
Products	Regional air transport services
Parent	Ansett Australia (during the 1990s)

Kendell Airlines was a prominent regional carrier in Australia throughout the 1990s, connecting key locations in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. Its operations were primarily based at Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide airports, with numerous flights conducted in collaboration with its affiliate Ansett Australia.

History

Established in 1967 under the name Premiair Aviation by Don Kendell and associates in Wagga Wagga, the enterprise initially focused on air charter services and pilot training. In 1971, it adopted the Kendell Airlines brand and commenced scheduled flights utilizing Piper PA-31 Navajo aircraft between Wagga Wagga and Melbourne, shortly expanding routes to include Sydney and Canberra.

The fleet was augmented with de Havilland DH.114 Heron planes in 1974, followed by the addition of Swearingen Metro II turboprops in 1979. A significant upgrade occurred in 1985 with the acquisition of 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft, making Kendell the first operator of this model in the southern hemisphere. Early in 1986, the route network nearly doubled after taking over South Australian services from Airlines of South Australia—an Ansett subsidiary—following deregulation within the Australian aviation market.

Throughout the 1990s, Kendell broadened its operational bases to include Devonport, Albury, and Sydney after becoming part of Ansett. In March 1996, it initiated the Capital Shuttle, providing as many as 13 daily return flights between Sydney and Canberra under Ansett’s banner. The airline also introduced new destinations such as Coffs Harbour and Ballina during this period, repainting its Saab 340 fleet with Ansett’s colors. By 1999, Kendell had joined the Star Alliance network as a regional partner through its affiliation with Ansett.

Between 1999 and 2001, Kendell incorporated Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets into its fleet—the airline’s first jet aircraft—enhancing its service capabilities. After Ansett’s collapse in September 2001, Kendell entered administration but continued limited operations to cover vital routes left unserved by Ansett's failure. In July 2002, Australiawide Airlines purchased Kendell and merged it with Hazelton Airlines to create Regional Express (Rex), officially launching on 1 August 2002.

Destinations

By February 2002, Kendell Airlines operated flights to the following locations:

Fleet

The following aircraft types were part of Kendell Airlines’ fleet:

Aircraft	Introduced	Retired
Bombardier CRJ200	1999	2001
de Havilland DH.114 Heron	1974	1980–81
Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner	1979
Saab 340	1985	2001
Piper PA-31 Navajo	1971

Accidents and incidents

• On 1 July 1992, a Kendell SAAB 340A (registration VH-EKT) experienced loss of directional control upon landing at Devonport Airport due to malfunctioning propeller control equipment that caused uneven thrust. Although the aircraft suffered significant damage, no injuries were reported. The plane was subsequently repaired and returned to service.
• On 11 November 1998, a Kendell SAAB 340A (VH-LPI) stalled near Lake Eildon during a flight from Albury to Melbourne as a result of atmospheric icing conditions. The pilots momentarily lost control leading to a descent of approximately 2,300 feet. One flight attendant sustained minor injuries; however, all 28 passengers remained unharmed and the flight proceeded as planned.