Regional US airline Expressjet is preparing to launch flights in Australia in a move that will further boost domestic tourism.

The carrier is looking to partner with an existing Australian airline to operate regional flights by the end of 2008.

Expressjet executive director Asia Ian Vanderbeek said discussions have taken place with a number of airlines.

In the US, Expressjet operates 274 Embraer 145 jets, more than 200 of which fly under the Continental Airlines brand. A further 18 carry the Delta Airlines brand.

Vanderbeek said it was planning a similar model in Australian and would look to build a fleet of 20 aircraft in the local market. However, if no existing carrier agrees a deal, Expressjet will launch flights under its own brand, Vanderbeek said. More than 40 of its US jets operate under the Expressjet banner.

Vanderbeek said the Enbraer jets will operate on “longer thinner routes” which will complement existing carriers’ route networks and are currently underdeveloped.

“There’s a role for this model with all existing carriers. It’s a question of how they perceive this sort of operation nowrking,” Vanderbeek said.

He said he hopes an announcement will be made within the next six months. Courtesy of travelweekly.com.au