Airlines of South Australia

 

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20-12-2008

 

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KENDELL AIRLINES HISTORY (S.A. SECTION)

by Nigel Daw

 

Don Kendell, the founder of Kendell Airlines, learnt to fly at age 19 in a Tiger Moth at the Wagga Flying School.

 He gained experience as a joyride pilot, then a charter pilot, looked for work as a pilot in Alice Springs, failed to find it, and signed on as a bulldozer driver. He saved enough to pay for a boat trip to England, where he obtained a job with British European Airways (BEA) in 1955, aged 25.

 

In 1959, now married with a son, Don returned to Australia. It was to be six years before he set up his own charter operation at Wagga Wagga, which he was to run so differently from the way BEA worked. In the meantime he farmed, but found life too quiet.

 

The charter operation flourished, assisted by some good years on the land. Rural agents were flown all over S.A. and Queensland to buy stock. In 1966, Premiair Aviation (a partnership with his wife) was formed and a year later Premiair Aviation Pty Ltd was registered.

 

Kendell Airlines operated its first regular passenger operation on 18 October 1971 when the Piper PA31/310 VH-DAP flew Wagga Wagga to Melbourne direct. Ansett Airlines of Australia had vacated the route in July, in favour of Kendell. In the first week 36 passengers were carried. On 3 July 1972, Kendell extended its Melbourne to Wagga Wagga flights to West Wyalong & Sydney (Flights to the latter city were ceased on 17 March 1973). On 19 March 1973, Kendell commenced Wagga Wagga to Canberra with Griffith added on 20 August 1973. This route was sold effective 16 March 1981. Also on 19 March 1973 a West Wyalong to Cowra service was commenced to connect with the East-West Sydney to Cowra flights. However, this service was short lived as it ceased on 31 July 1973.

 

In 1979, the airline moved into turbo-prop. operations when the first Swearingen Metro II was added to the fleet. Passenger growth and additional routes taken over from Ansett saw the delivery of the first SAAB 340A in February 1985.

 

Until 1981, Don Kendell combined his many duties as head of the airline with regular trips as a pilot. He stopped commercial flying that year because of age and the difficulty of having so many other things to attend to right up until he stepped on board an aircraft. During March 1984, Kendell Airlines (Australia) Pty Ltd was registered in Victoria.

 

Kendell made its first foray into South Australia on 22 May 1983 when it commenced Melbourne to Mount Gambier route replacing the Ansett Fokker F.27.

 

In the mid-1980s, when Ansett (via News Ltd/TNT) bought 35% of Kendell Airlines, Don Kendell and his wife resisted overtures to sell the remainder. However, in June 1990, when doom clouds laden with deregulation fears massed over the industry, the rest of the Company was sold, but Don Kendell continued to sit on the board.

 

Kendell Airlines made its first scheduled flight into Adelaide on 17 November 1985 when the Adelaide to Mount Gambier route was taken over from Airlines of S.A. (A.S.A.)

 

On 18 February 1986 the General Manager of A.S.A., Mick Connelly announced the impending closure of the airline on 30 June 1986 and that all routes would be handed over to Kendell. This was as the result of A.S.A.�s loss of the lucrative Santos Moomba contract during 1985 and competition from smaller, regional airlines, which operated a spread of services with more efficient and cheaper to operate aircraft. Due to the size of A.S.A�s Fokker F27s they were rapidly becoming an unsuitable aircraft for the route structure on which they were operating.

 

Takeover of routes occurred on:

 

10 March 1986 Adelaide to Ceduna and Streaky Bay, Adelaide to Broken Hill.

Streaky Bay ceased on 2 August 1991.

 

28 June 1986 Adelaide to Port Lincoln, Adelaide to Whyalla.

 

23 August 1986 Adelaide to Woomera, Olympic Dam and Coober Pedy � ceased Woomera 10 February 1997.

 

2 May 1987 Adelaide to Yulara via Coober Pedy � ceased Yulara 28 June 1997.

 

1 October 1990 Adelaide to Kingscote.

 

During February 1992, Kendell Airlines was awarded the Air Transport World magazine�s worldwide �Regional Airline of the Year� award.

 

30 October 2000 Adelaide to Canberra � ceased 13 September 2001

 

Kendell ceased operations in S.A. on 13 September 2001 as the Ansett Administrators closed the airline the next day, but re-commenced operations on 27 September 2001. The Ansett subsidiary was later sold to Australiawide Airlines Ltd trading as �Regional Express�. Kendell Airlines ceased operations on the 31 July 2002 and the following day the �Kendell� name passed into history. On 1 August Australiawide Airlines Ltd was issued with its �Air Operators Certificate� and, on 6 August, the new airline �Regional Express� was launched. (Note: Another source states that Kendell & Hazelton were officially sold 1 August and began operating as Regional Express on 5 August. This will be clarified).

                                                ---------------------------------------------

FLEET LIST (S.A. OPERATIONS)

 

Swearingen Merlin IV/Metro II/Metro 23

 

VH-BIF SW SA226TC C/N TC-270 REG�D 250286 WFS 93 SOR 121093

 

VH-BIS SW SA226TC C/N TC-284 REG�D 070981 WFS 140794 SOLD 120894

 

 

VH-KAN SW SA227DC C/N DC-838B REG�D 220893 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 031001.�The First Settlement in South Australia � Kingscote Kangaroo Island�.

 

VH-KDJ SW SA227DC C/N DC-797B REG�D 070892 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 280901. �City of Portland�

 

VH-KDO SW SA227DC C/N DC-837B REG�D 170893 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 031001. �Spirit of Coober Pedy�

 

VH-KDQ SW SA226TC C/N TC-326 REG�D 300580 WFS 240895 SOLD 181095

�Progress of Albury-Wodonga�

 

VH-KDR SW SA226TC C/N TC-289 REG�D 240579 WFS 260995 SOLD 301195

 

VH-KDT SW SA227DC C/N DC-800B REG�D 090992 I/S 110992 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 111001. �Spirit of Ceduna�

 

VH-KED SW SA227DC C/N DC-845B REG�D 100394 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 231001. Leased to Air North 311001 to 310102. �Spirit of King Island�.

 

VH-KEU SW SA227DC C/N DC-846B REG�D 100394 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 270901. �Sunraysia Chaffey Trail�

 

VH-KEX SW SA227DC C/N DC-872B REG�D 030395 WFS 140901

 

VH-SWP SW SA226T C/N AT-033 LSD 0686 REG�D 100986 WFS 150993

SOLD 0993.

 

VH-WGV SW SA226TC C/N TC-287 REG�D 010586 WFS 0983 SOLD 0594

 

VH-WGX SW SA226TC C/N TC-312 REG�D 300483 WFS 280494 SOLD 0694

 

VH-WGY SW SA226TC C/N TC-256 REG�D 170686 WFS 220794 SOLD 120894

 

Seating Capacity � Metro II 16 seats, Metro III 19 seats

                          -----------------------------------------------------------

SAAB 340A/SAAB 340B

VH-EKD SAAB 340A C/N 155 REG�D 090889 I/S 220889 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 111001.�City of Wagga Wagga�

 

VH-EKG SAAB 340B C/N367 REG�D 290595 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 081001.

 

VH-EKH SAAB 340B C/N 369 REG�D 290695 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 081001.

 

VH-EKT SAAB 340A C/N 085 REG�D 080390 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 181001.  �City of Burnie�

 

VH-KDB SAAB 340A C/N 008 REG�D 261191 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 081001.

 

VH-KDI SAAB 340A C/N 131 REG�D 271088 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 141201. �City of Whyalla�

 

VH-KDK SAAB 340A C/N 016 REG�D 160285 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 031001 �City of Mount Gambier�

 

VH-KDP SAAB 340A C/N 052 REG�D 300486 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 031001. �City of Broken Hill�

 

VH-KEQ SAAB 340A C/N 011 REG�D 080197 WFS 140901

Re-entered service 041001.

 

VH-LPI SAAB 340A C/N 151 LEASED 0797, REG�D 090200 SOR 250501

�Spirit of Devonport�.

 

Seating Capacity � 34 seats

                                    ------------------------------------------

CANADAIR CL600/2B19

 

VH-KJF CL600/2B19 C/N 7336 REG�D 130899 WFS 140901

�City of Launceston�. SOR 170702 TO C-FZTU

 

VH-KJG CL600/2B19 C/N 7357 REG�D 031299 WFS 140901

�City of  Melbourne�. SOR 050702 TO C-FZTZ

 

VH-KJJ CL600/2B19 C/N 7361 REG�D 081299 WFS 140901

�City of  Hobart�. SOR 050702 TO C-FZTW

 

VH-KJN CL600/2B19 C/N 7367 REG�D 121000 WFS 140901

�City of Canberra�.  SOR 050702 TO C-FZTY

 

VH-KJQ CL600/2B19 C/N 7372 REG�D 250200 WFS 140901

�City of Brisbane�. SOR 050702 TO C-FZTT

 

VH-KJS CL600/2B19 C/N 7401 REG�D 020600 WFS 140901

�City of Rockhampton�. SOR 050702 TO C-FZTH

 

VH-KJU CL600/2B19 C/N 7405 REG�D 160600 WFS 140901

�City of Adelaide�. SOR 250702 TO C-FZSZ

 

VH-KJV CL600/2B19 C/N 7422 REG�D 080900 WFS 140901

�City of Sydney�. SOR 050702 TO C-FZSY

 

VH-KJX CL600/2B19 C/N 7471 REG�D 251001 WFS 140901

�City of Mackay�. SOR 200802 TO C-FSXX

 

VH-KJY CL600/2B19 C/N 7481 REG�D 280201 WFS 140901

�Sunshine Coast�. SOR 200802 TO C-FZUK

 

VH-KJZ CL600/2B19 C/N 7489 NTU. LEASED TO EUROWINGS AS D-AKEN FROM 010401

 

VH-KXJ CL600/2B19 C/N 7508 REG�D 240501 WFS 140901

SOR 110402 TO G-ELNX

 

Seating Capacity � 50 seats

 

The only route operated by the CRJs into S.A. was Canberra/Adelaide/Canberra

                                    ------------------------------------------------------

KENDELL AIRCRAFT THAT DID NOT OPERATE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

 

AERO COMMANDER 500S

VH-KAC A/C500S C/N 3185 REG�D 091078 SOLD 160381

 

DE HAVILLAND DH114/2D/A1

VH-CLW DH114/2D/A1 C/N 14108 REG�D 160277 SOLD 0581

VH-KAM DH114/2D/A1 C/N 14123 REG�D 161275 SOLD 101280

 

PIPER PA31/310 NAVAJO

VH-CLU PA31/310 C/N 588 REG�D 72 SOLD 030778

VH-DAP PA31/310 C/N 3644 REG�D 1071 SOLD 290578

 

SWEARINGEN METRO

VH-BPL SW226TC C/N TC-272 LEASED 1979-1981

VH-EEF SW SA226TC C/N TC-331E REG�D 010883 WFS 85  

 

SWEARINGEN MERLIN IV

VH-CFO SA226AT C/N AT-33 LEASED 0283 � 0284 (Later VH-SWP)

 

SAAB 340B

VH-EKK SAAB 340B C/N 223 REG�D110297 WFS 140901

VH-EKN SAAB 340B C/N 372 REG�D 060995 WFS 140901 

                 LEASED TO MACAIR 010302 TO 0802

VH-EKX SAAB 340B C/N 257 REG�D 190696 WFS 140901 

                 Re-entered service 081001.

VH-KDQ (2) SAAB 340B C/N 325 REG�D 130396 WFS 140901

VH-KDR (2) SAAB 340B C/N 229 REG�D 170796 WFS 140901

VH-KDV SAAB 340B C/N 322 REG�D 140296 WFS 140901

NOTE: Both KDQ (2) & KDV carried �Capital Shuttle� titles during service.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

C/N = Constructor�s Number

I/S = In service

NTU = Not taken up

REG�D = Registered to a Kendell company

SOR = Struck off Australian Civil Register

WFS = Withdrawn from service

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

KENDELL TIMETABLE � ADELAIDE EFFECTIVE 30 JUNE 1996

(South Australian operations)

 

Adelaide to Ayers Rock

Ayers Rock to Adelaide

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Via

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Via

KD474

Sa

0915

1305

CP

KD475

Sa

1330

1720

CP

 

Coober Pedy to Ayers Rock                         Ayers Rock to Coober Pedy

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

KD474

Sa

1135

1305

KD475

Sa

1330

1500

 

Adelaide to Broken Hill                                 Broken Hill to Adelaide

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

KD360

Daily x Sa Su

0645

0755

KD361

Daily x Sa Su

0810

0925

KD366

Sa

1000

1110

KD367

Sa

1125

1240

KD362

We Th Fr

1435

1545

KD363

We Th Fr

1600

1715

KD364

Daily x Sa

1810

1920

KD365

Daily x Sa

1935

2000

 

Adelaide to Ceduna  

Ceduna to Adelaide

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

KD368

Mo Tu We Th

0945

1115

KD369

Mo Tu We Th

1130

1255

KD372

Su

1310

1445

KD373

Su

1500

1625

KD370

Tu Fr

1720

1855

KD371

Tu Fr

1910

2035

 

Adelaide to Coober Pedy 

Coober Pedy to Adelaide

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Via

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Via

KD472

Fr

0915

1145

OD

KD473

Fr

1215

1440

OD

KD474

Sa

0915

1115

 

KD479

Daily x Fr Sa

1430

1655

OD

KD478

Daily x Fr Sa

1140

1410

OD

KD475

Sa

1520

1720

 

 

Adelaide to Kingscote

Kingscote to Adelaide

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

KD301

Mo Fr

0720

0755

KD302

Mo Fr

0810

0840

KD303

Daily x Mo

0925

1000

KD304

Daily x Mo

1015

1045

KD305

Mo

0950

1025

KD306

Mo

1040

1110

KD309

Daily

1730

1805

KD310

Daily

1820

1850

 

Adelaide to Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier to Adelaide

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

KD380

Daily x Sa Su

0700

0805

KD381

Daily x Sa Su

0820

0930

KD382

Daily x Fr Su

0855

1000

KD383

Daily x Fr Su

1015

1125

KD386

Fr

1240

1345

KD387

Fr

1400

1510

KD388

Daily x Mo Sa

1450

1555

KD389

Daily x Mo Sa

1630

1740

KD392

Mo

1740

1845

KD393

Mo

1900

2010

KD394

Tu We Th Fr

1850

1955

KD395

Tu We Th Fr

2010

2120

 

Adelaide to Olympic Dam

Olympic Dam to Adelaide

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Via

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Via

KD470

Mo Tu We Th

0630

0800

 

KD471

Mo Tu We Th

0815

1000

 

KD472

Fr

0915

1045

 

KD473

Fr

1315

1440

 

KD478

Daily x Fr Sa

1140

1310

 

KD479

Daily x Fr Sa

1530

1655

 

KD480

Fr

1320

1510

WR

KD481

Fr

1530

1655

 

KD482

We Th Fr

1745

1915

 

KD483

We Th Fr

1930

2055

 

 

Olympic Dam to Coober Pedy 

Coober Pedy to Olympic Dam

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

KD472

Fr

1100

1145

KD473

Fr

1215

1300

KD478

Daily x Fr Sa

1325

1415

KD479

Daily x Fr Sa

1430

1515

 

Adelaide to Port Lincoln

Port Lincoln to Adelaide

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

KD430

Daily

0710

0800

KD431

Daily

0815

0900

KD434

Mo

0925

1015

KD435

Mo

1030

1115

KD436

Tu We Th Fr

1130

1220

KD437

Tu We Th Fr

1235

1320

KD438

Sa

1200

1250

KD439

Sa

1305

1350

KD442

Daily x Sa

1525

1615

KD443

Daily x Sa

1630

1715

KD444

Daily

1800

1850

KD445

Daily

1905

1950

 

Adelaide to Whyalla

Whyalla to Adelaide

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

KD450

Daily x Su

0650

0735

KD451

Daily x Su

0750

0835

KD454

Daily x Fr Sa

0915

1005

KD455

Daily x Fr Sa

1020

1105

KD456

Fr

1045

1130

KD457

Fr

1145

1230

KD458

Daily x Su

1445

1530

KD459

Daily x Su

1545

1630

KD460

Daily x Mo Sa

1645

1730

KD461

Daily x Mo Sa

1745

1830

KD462

Daily x Sa

1915

2000

KD463

Daily x Sa

2015

2100

 

Adelaide to Woomera 

Woomera to Adelaide

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Via

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

Via

KD470

Mo to Th

0630

0840

OD

KD471

Mo to Th

0850

1000

 

KD480

Fr

1320

1435

 

KD481

Fr

1445

1655

OD

 

Woomera to Olympic Dam 

Olympic Dam to Woomera

Flight

Day

Dep

Flight

Flight

Day

Dep

Arr

KD480

Fr

1445

1510

KD471

Mo to Th

0815

0840

 

CP = Coober Pedy, OD = Olympic Dam, WR = Woomera

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Background on Towns and Cities served by Kendell from Adelaide

Adelaide � South Australian capital, located on St Vincent Gulf.

Ayers Rock � tourism icon located in south west of Northern Territory.

Broken Hill � mining town located in far west of NSW.

Canberra � capital city of Australia located in Australian Capital Territory.

Ceduna � fishing and tourism town located in the far west of S.A.

Coober Pedy � opal-mining town located in far north of S.A.

Kingscote � situated on Kangaroo Island, which is known for farming and tourism,  

                     and is located in Southern Ocean off the coast of SA

Mount Gambier � farming, industrial and tourism town located in the south of S.A.

Olympic Dam � mining town located in far north of S.A.

Port Lincoln � fishing and tourism town located at southern end of Eyre Peninsula.

Streaky Bay  � fishing and tourism town located in the far west of S.A

Whyalla � industrial city located on Spencers Gulf.

Woomera � rocket and weapon testing range located in far north of S.A.

 

Editor�s Note:

This article was compiled from the author�s own notes, newspaper articles, �Country Connection (the Kendell In-flight Magazine), and information from Roger McDonald and Fred Niven. Additional information would be most welcome.

 

A fully detailed article on Kendell operations in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania deserves to be written but this Editor does not have the research material.

 

Nigel Daw

December 2002

KD Photo Album

 

 

Copyright � 2002 Spirits of Ansett

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