What is the go at JetGo
 

Hi,

I've been watching JetGo for a couple of months re the Wollongong flights.

They have appeared on the local news as a result of poor service reliability, and rightfully so they are a disgrace. Flights are always cancelled and when they operate they go via Dubbo and Albury etc making them delayed. Some are often running 6 hours late, that's if it operates at all.

This is a result of most of the fleet sitting on the ground!??

Of the 'now' fleet of six aircraft, only two aircraft operate.

N14923 (prospective VH-JGK) sat in the USA for 4 months, then delivered to BNE 13/04/2018 and has not flown.
VH-JZG - Idle at SYD since 25th March.
VH-ZJE - Idle at TSV since 26th March.
VH-ZJG - Idle at BNE since 18th April.

VH-JGR & VH-JGB are the only two flying.

Anyone know what the issue is, aircraft falling apart, poor maintenance planning, or not making lease payments, etc?

Thanks,

Steve

From Illawarra Mercury 24/05/18

JetGo faces winding up order over unpaid debts to NSW council

A western NSW council has taken legal action against the Illawarra passenger flight operator, JetGo, lodging proceedings to start dissolving the company over an unpaid debt.

Shellharbour mayor Marianne Saliba says her council will be watching closely to monitor any ramifications for Illawarra flights, but JetGo’s managing director Paul Bredereck has insisted it’s business as usual.

Last week, according to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Dubbo Regional Council lodged a request to wind up the airline with the Supreme Court.

Read more: Illawarra JetGo services flying high after a month in the air

Mr Bredereck said the legal action was over a long-running dispute over the calculation of passenger taxes for JetGo using Dubbo Regional Airport, with the council now asking the airline to pay up.

“It is unfortunate and highly unusual that Dubbo Regional Council has chosen to go down this path, and we would consider it to be ethically inappropriate,” he said.

Mr Bredereck said he believed his company would successfully fight the order in court next month, saying the council had previously agreed to “waive all passenger charges, landing fees and parking fees for the first year of the operation” and provide a discount in the second year.

Read more: JetGo cancels Saturday flight to Brisbane due to low demand

“In any case, the size of the debt is manageable if we were to lose, but we don’t believe we will lose,” he said.

“This has no implication for services in other area, including the Illawarra. Airlines have good times and tough times, it’s all part of the business cycle.

“We have a very good and effective line of communication with Shellharbour council.”

On hearing of Dubbo council’s court action, Cr Saliba said Shellharbour would be seeking assurances from JetGo about the future of its Wollongong to Melbourne and Brisbane services.

Read more: JetGo unveiled as chosen airline for Illawarra passenger service

“There is always cause for concern when we hear this sort of action being taken – because if Dubbo is successful the company would be wound up and would not be able to provide any of the flights they’ve committed to,” she said.

“There is a huge implication for us if ASIC winds up the company because this is our passenger service and there will be people in our city who have purchased tickets to travel.”

JetGo’s legal troubles aside, Cr Saliba said flights to Melbourne from Wollongong had proved extremely popular – with a 91 per cent patronage.

“Whatever happens with JetGo, we would want to see a passenger service continue at Albion Park,” she said.

After their public meeting on Tuesday night, Shellharbour councillors received a confidential briefing on the city’s regular passenger transport.

However Cr Saliba said she could not reveal what was said in this session.

Should Dubbo council’s winding up order progress any further, Cr Saliba said Illawarra residents should ensure their flights were purchased with a credit card which would allow them to obtain a refund in the event the company was dissolved.

The Mercury contacted Dubbo Regional Council for comment but was directed to their lawyer, who did not respond.

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...ouncil/?cs=300

They had an earlier winding up order from Tamworth which they fought and won, so it’s no indication that things will go any particular way. However recently they informed staff of a cashflow issue:

“Embattled regional airline JetGo has informed its staff that the company has been “experiencing a critical shortage of cash” for some time.

In an email, provided to Fairfax Media, the airline’s management announced it brought in corporate advisors last Friday to restructure its finances.

Further confirmation of money troubles comes just days after Fairfax Media revealed efforts were underway from Dubbo Regional Council to wind up the airline due to an unpaid debt.

The western NSW council says the company owes $271,000 relating to passenger taxes, with a court date set down for next month.”

https://www.northerndailyleader.com....ight-operator/

Jetgo has entered into a 30 day period of voluntary administration and has suspended RPT operations during that time. Limited charter services will continue, however.

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...spended/?cs=12

This too:-

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/bus...01-p4ziwz.html

The NSW Supreme Court today found in favour of Dubbo Regional Council and ordered that JetGo be sound up. Liquidator has been approved. This among several media reports:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-0...02?pfmredir=sm

Sad news for the staff, obviously, and for customers who’ve lost the value of their bookings.

On a separate note can anyone shed any light on Free Spirit Airlines. Last I heard they were using another operator to conduct their Essendon to Merimbula sector. Also has Flypelican dropped Sydney to Newcastle?

Free Spirit have been operating for some time now using various different operators aircraft, it appears they continue to do so.

FlyPelican has intact ceased Sydney to Newcastle services upon checkin, that certainly happened quietly!

Free Spirit have ceased they got kicked out of Essendon months ago.

FSA entered liquidation on the 27 June, after entering administration on 22 May.
https://insolvencynotices.asic.gov.a...rict=&dnotice=

Of interest, Southern Cross Austereo filed a wind-up order on 6 March 2017 and Airservices Australia filed one on 31 July 2017
https://insolvencynotices.asic.gov.a...e=All&archvd=0
https://insolvencynotices.asic.gov.a...e=All&archvd=0

Sadly Rossair is another company that has been placed under administration
https://insolvencynotices.asic.gov.a...rict=&dnotice=