Posters advertising Ansett, Ansett-ANA and Australian National Airways, former Australian airlines

Ansett was an Australian airline that was founded in 1936 by Reginald Ansett. Originally called Ansett Airways, the airline began as a regional carrier operating services between Melbourne and Hamilton in Victoria.

In 1946, Ansett Airways merged with Australian National Airways (ANA) to become Ansett-ANA. The merger created Australia's second-largest airline, with a network that covered much of the country.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Ansett-ANA continued to expand its network and fleet, with new services to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. In 1957, the airline introduced its first jet aircraft, the Vickers Viscount, and in 1964 it became the first Australian airline to operate a Boeing 727.

In 1968, Reginald Ansett bought out ANA's share of the company and renamed it Ansett Airlines of Australia. Under Ansett's leadership, the airline continued to grow, with a network that extended to Asia and the more... Middle East.

However, by the 1980s, the airline was facing financial difficulties, and in 1986 it was sold to media magnate Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Murdoch renamed the airline to Ansett Australia, and invested heavily in new aircraft and facilities.

In 2001, Ansett Australia was placed into voluntary administration due to financial difficulties. The airline was subsequently grounded, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and causing significant disruption to the Australian aviation industry. Ansett was eventually liquidated, and its assets were sold off to pay creditors.

Ansett is remembered as one of Australia's most iconic airlines, with a legacy that spans more than 60 years. The airline played a significant role in shaping the Australian aviation industry, and its demise was a significant event in the country's history. less...