BRINDABELLA Airlines' inability to keep up to date with its planes' routine engine inspections suggest the airline was spread too thin, according to industry veteran Max Hazelton.
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Brindabella announced the suspension of its Orange/Sydney service on Friday, just a week after the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) grounded four of its aircraft when the airline admitted it was behind on routine engine maintenance.
The airline has been unable to say when the Orange/Service service will resume.
But Mr Hazelton said he will be surprised if it ever does.
He believes the airline was operating flights with a load factor of just 6 per cent, when a 30-seater plane would need at least 21 passengers to break even.
“You can't run an aircraft below cost and this is what they are doing,” he said.
“They're operating small aircraft and they're not running a reliable service.
“You can't get passengers to use a service if that's what it's going to be.”
Although CASA are “very strict”, Mr Hazelton said it was vital maintenance was kept up to date.
“I think [Brindabella] was trying to run things on a shoe string and you can't do that,” he said.
“You've got to run it properly and you need enough people to look after [the aircraft].”
Mr Hazelton said Orange was very well served by Regional Express (REX), but the landing fees charged by Orange City Council were the highest in the area and made fares more expensive.
A spokesman for Brindabella did not return respond in time for publication.
The airline's two grounded aircraft are not expected to return to the skies until at least the end of next week.
clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au
