{{Short description|Airline based in Adelaide, South Australia}} {{Distinguish|text=its former sister company National Jet Express}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use Australian English|date=April 2012}} {{Infobox airline |airline = National Jet Systems |logo = National Jet Systems Logo.svg |image = QantasLink, operated by National Jet Systems, (VH-X4B) Airbus A220-300 landing at Canberra Airport.jpg |caption = Airbus A220 at Canberra Airport in April 2024 |IATA = QF |ICAO = QLK |callsign = Q-LINK |founded = 1988 |aoc = CASA.AOC.0007 |bases = {{plainlist| *Brisbane *Cairns *Melbourne *Sydney}} |frequent_flyer = Qantas Frequent Flyer |alliance = Oneworld |fleet_size = 11 |destinations = 22 |parent = Qantas |headquarters = Adelaide, Australia |key_people = }}
'''National Jet Systems''' is an Australian regional airline based at Adelaide Airport, operating regular scheduled services under the QantasLink brand.
==History== [[File:QantasLink, operated by National Jet Systems, (VH-X4A) Airbus A220-300 taxiing at Canberra Airport.jpg|thumb|Airbus A220-300 at Canberra Airport in June 2024]] [[File:QF 717 mill stream-1.jpg|thumb|Boeing 717-200 in March 2004]] [[File:National Jet Avro RJ70 TTT.jpg|thumb|Avro RJ70 in March 2003]]
===Foundation and early years=== National Jet Systems was founded in 1988 by Warren Seymour and Rob Sherrard with operations commencing on 1 July 1990. Initial flights commenced in 1991 on behalf of Australian Airlines, mainly to tourist destinations in northern Australia, operating a fleet of four British Aerospace 146-100s under Australian’s Airlink brand.<ref>National Jet Systems ''Australian Aviation'' issue 107 June 1995 pages 30-32</ref>
In 1992, Australian Airlines was acquired by Qantas, and the aircraft operated by National Jet on behalf of Airlink were repainted in a modified Qantas livery.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.aussieairliners.org/bae146/vh-njc/vhnjc.html | title=VH-NJC. British Aerospace 146-100A. c/n E1013.|access-date=2023-01-07}}</ref> The fleet was expanded in 1993 with the addition of three leased BAe 146-200s and two chartered BAe 146-300s, which commenced operations in 1994 from Brisbane and Cairns, respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.worldhistory.biz/contemporary-history/73887-australian-air-charterers-pty-ltd-see-aus-air-pty-ltd.html | title=AUSTRALIAN AIRLINK (PTY.), LTD.|access-date=2023-01-07}}</ref>
In 1994, National Jet Express was established as a subsidiary to operate charter and scheduled services using National Jet's own branding, as well as freighter aircraft on behalf of Australian airExpress. Another subsidiary, Surveillance Australia, was awarded the Australian Coastwatch contract to operate fixed-wing aerial surveillance aircraft and patrols in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone.<ref>National Jet Systems wins Coastwatch contract ''Australian Aviation'' issue 101 October 1994 page 5</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230107082938/https://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=jcpaa/coastwatch/submissions/surveillance.pdf Submission to the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit - Review of Coastwatch] Surveillance Australia Pty Ltd</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230108043414/https://www.australiandefence.com.au/E4534EA0-F806-11DD-8DFE0050568C22C9 Surveillance Australia wins Coastwatch prize] ''Australian Defence Magazine'' 10 January 2008</ref>
In 1999, National Jet Systems, including National Jet Express and Surveillance Australia, were acquired by Cobham for £24.5 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/manufacturing/coastal-watch-sold-to-british-19991220-k9530|title=Coastal watch sold to British|publisher=Australian Financial Review|date=1999-12-20 |access-date=2023-01-07}}</ref>
In 2002, Qantas launched QantasLink as a single brand for its regional airline subsidiaries and operations, and the livery on aircraft operated for QantasLink was updated to reflect the new name.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://aussieairliners.org/QantasGroup/QantasLink/qflink.html | title=The QantasLink Group}}</ref>
In 2005, the airline commenced operating ex Jetstar Boeing 717-200 aircraft on behalf of QantasLink<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230107134159/https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/QantasLink-deal-to-NJS QantasLink deal to NJS] ''Business News'' 16 February 2005</ref> in Western Australia, and transferred the remaining BAe 146 fleet to its National Jet Express subsidiary. All eight 717s formerly operated by Jetstar were transferred to National Jet Systems by October 2007.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
In March 2007, the Boeing 717 operations agreement was renewed, and included an expansion of the fleet from eight to eleven aircraft. National Jet also commenced a program with Qantas and Rolls-Royce to upgrade the aircraft to the 'High Gross Weight' specification, which increased their thrust from 18,500lbs to 21,000lbs per engine, and was aimed at improving passenger-carrying performance in hot conditions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=4a4db822-3ae9-46fc-bd7b-238a71bb3b02|title=QantasLink Expands Fleet To 11 Planes|date=2007-03-27 |access-date=2023-01-07}}</ref>
In 2009, National Jet Systems was rebranded ''Cobham Aviation Services Australia - Airline Services'' to align its branding with the broader Cobham Group and to differentiate its role from that of National Jet Express.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}
===Development since 2010=== In 2011, the contract for operation of Boeing 717s on behalf of QantasLink was extended until 2018. Valued at $AUD500 million, the extension also increased the size of the Boeing 717 fleet from 11 to 13 aircraft, and expanded operations into Queensland.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/newscobham-extends-qantaslink-contract-with-qantas/|title=Cobham extends QantasLink contract with Qantas|date=2011-10-18 |access-date=2023-01-07}}</ref>
In 2013, an additional five Boeing 717 jets were acquired to support flights from Canberra to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2013/11/back-to-the-future-as-reborn-dc-9-returns-to-canberra/|title=Back to the future as reborn DC-3 returns to Canberra|website=Australian Aviation|date=2013-11-22 |access-date=2023-01-07}}</ref>
In April 2015, the company ceased performing heavy maintenance on the QantasLink Boeing 717 fleet as a result of the work moving in-house to Qantas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldofaviation.com/2015/04/cobham-expects-job-losses-after-losing-qantas-717-heavy-maintenance-work/|title=Cobham expects job losses after losing Qantas 717 heavy maintenance work|date=2015-04-13 |access-date=2023-01-07}}</ref>
In July 2016, the contract for operation of Boeing 717s on behalf of QantasLink was renewed for a further 10 years. The value of the contract was stated as being $AUD1.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldofaviation.com/2016/07/cobham-gets-10-year-contract-extension-for-qantaslink-717-flying/|title=Cobham gets 10 year, A$1.3 billion contract extension for Qantaslink 717 flying|date=2016-07-04 |access-date=2023-01-07}}</ref>
In January 2020, it was included in the takeover of Cobham by Advent International.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.adventinternational.com/advent-completes-4-billion-takeover-of-cobham/|title=Advent completes £4 billion takeover of Cobham|website=Advent International|date=2020-01-22 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref> In May 2020, Qantas purchased the National Jet Systems division, with National Jet Express and Surveillance Australia remaining under Cobham ownership. The transition to Qantas ownership was completed in July 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/90889-qantas-buys-cobham-aviation-to-take-b717s-in-house|title=Qantas buys Cobham Aviation; to take B717s in-house|date=2020-05-22 |access-date=2020-06-22}}</ref> In August 2020, the bases at Cairns Airport and Perth Airport were closed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/94653-qantas-to-close-b717-bases-in-cairns-perth|title=Qantas to close B717 bases in Cairns, Perth|date=2020-08-27 |access-date=2023-01-07}}</ref>
==Destinations== National Jet Systems serves the following destinations on behalf of QantasLink.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240304-qf2h24220 |access-date=5 March 2024 |title=Qantas Expands A220 2H24 Operations }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230607-qfnw23717 |access-date=5 March 2024 |title=Qantas NW23/NS24 Boeing 717 Preliminary Network }}</ref>
*'''Australia''' **Australian Capital Territory ***Canberra - Canberra Airport '''Hub''' **New South Wales ***Coffs Harbour - Coffs Harbour Airport ***Sydney - Sydney Airport '''Hub''' **Northern Territory ***Darwin - Darwin International Airport<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qantas Timetable MEL - DRW |url=https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/timetables.html |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Qantas.com}}</ref> **Queensland ***Brisbane - Brisbane Airport '''Hub''' ***Hamilton Island - Hamilton Island Airport<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2025-05-24 |title=Qantas Australian Domestic Flight Network |url=https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/australian-domestic-flight-network.html#direct-flights-tofrom-and-within-victoria |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Qantas.com}}</ref><ref name=":122">{{Cite web |date=2025-05-24 |title=Qantas Australian Domestic Flight Network |url=https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/australian-domestic-flight-network.html#direct-flights-tofrom-and-within-victoria |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Qantas.com}}</ref> **Victoria ***Melbourne - Melbourne Airport '''Hub''' **Tasmania ***Hobart - Hobart Airport '''Hub''' ***Launceston - Launceston Airport *'''New Zealand''' **Wellington – Wellington Airport *'''Singapore''' **Singapore – Changi Airport<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Jake |date=2025-02-17 |title=Qantas to launch Darwin–Singapore with 737s, not A220s |url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2025/02/qantas-to-launch-darwin-singapore-with-737s-not-a220s/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Australian Aviation |language=en-AU}}</ref>
==Fleet== ===Current fleet=== As of June 2025, the National Jet Systems fleet consists of the following aircraft:<ref>[https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft-register-advanced CASA civil aircraft register search] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125144751/https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft-register-advanced|date=25 January 2018}}, using "Eastern Australia Airlines", "Network Aviation" and "Sunstate Airlines" as keyword search parameters; and "717-200" as Aircraft Model search parameter. Search conducted 9 May 2019. Included in the results are five Eastern Australia Dash 8-300s operated on behalf of Jetstar in New Zealand.</ref>
{|class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center" |- !Aircraft !In service !Orders !Notes |- |Airbus A220-300 |11 |29 |Operated on behalf of QantasLink.<br/>Deliveries began in December 2023.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-07-12 |title=Qantas A220 guide: order, delivery, seats and routes [2023] - Executive Traveller |url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-reveals-first-a220-routes |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=www.executivetraveller.com |language=en}}</ref> |- !Total !11 !29 ! |}
===Historic fleet=== National Jet Systems previously also operated the following aircraft: {| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center" !Aircraft !Total !Introduced !Retired !Notes |- |Boeing 717-200 |23 |2005 |2024 |<ref>{{cite press release |title=Enf of an era: Qantas marks final day of 717 flying in Australia |date=26 October 2024 |publisher=Qantas |url=https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/end-of-an-era-qantas-marks-final-day-of-717-flying-in-australia/?print=1 |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref> |- |Boeing 737-300 |1 |1994 |1996 | |- |British Aerospace 146-100 |9 |1991 |2011 |<ref name="QLINKBAE146">{{cite web |title=QantasLink British Aerospace 146 Fleet. |url=https://www.aussieairliners.org/QantasGroup/QantasLink/qlink146fleet.htm |access-date=28 June 2025 |publisher=Aussie Airliners}}</ref> |- |British Aerospace 146-200 |10 |1991 |2012 |<ref name="QLINKBAE146" /> |- |British Aerospace 146-300 |4 |1992 |2011 |<ref name="QLINKBAE146" /> |- |British Aerospace Avro RJ70 |1 |1995 |2010 | |- |British Aerospace Jetstream 41 |1 |1998 |1999 | |- |De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 |4 |1998 |2009 | |- |De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 |1 |1996 |2006 | |- |De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 |2 |1995 |2007 | |- |Shorts 330 |1 |1993 |1993 | |}
==Incidents and accidents== *13 October 2010: A National Jet Systems Boeing 717-200, operating in Qantas livery, was close to stalling. The flight from Perth to Kalgoorlie had two 'stick shaker' (stall) warnings. They were caused by the pilot entering the wrong weight of the aircraft into the flight management system (FMS), and by the pilots not following correct stall recovery procedures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/pilot-error-throws-qantas-flight-into-near-chaos/news-story/85390f1ec3f74959b2049db30a4c6b15 |title=Pilot error throws Qantas flight into near-chaos |date=10 February 2012 |website=News.com.au|publisher=News Corp Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/2012/02/09/atsb-report-into-qantaslink-717-incident-says-crew-entered-wrong-flight-data-and-didnt-follow-operating-procedures/ |title=ATSB report into Qantaslink 717 incident says crew entered wrong flight data and didn't follow operating procedures |last=Sandilands |first=Ben |date=9 February 2012 |website=Crikey|access-date=13 April 2017 |archive-date=13 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413235335/https://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/2012/02/09/atsb-report-into-qantaslink-717-incident-says-crew-entered-wrong-flight-data-and-didnt-follow-operating-procedures/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*27 May 2015: A National Jet Systems Boeing 717-200, operating from Brisbane to Gladstone in Qantas livery, was on its initial climb out of Brisbane when it suffered a 'stick shaker' (stall) warning. It was caused by the pilot retracting the flaps by mistake.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2015/aair/ao-2015-056/ |title=ATSB report: Stickshaker activation involving a Boeing 717-200|date=22 December 2015 |publisher=Australian Transport Safety Bureau}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category-inline}}
{{Airlines of Australia}} {{Qantas}}
Category:Airlines established in 1988 Category:Airlines of South Australia Category:Companies based in Adelaide Category:Qantas Category:1988 establishments in Australia