FlyPelican

What FlyPelican does

FlyPelican (legal entity Pelican Airlines Pty Ltd) is a 100% Australian-owned regional airline and aircraft charter operator headquartered at Newcastle Airport (Williamtown), NSW, with 11-50 employees. The airline operates a fleet of British Aerospace Jetstream 32 19-seat turboprop aircraft offering scheduled passenger services across six destinations in NSW, ACT, and Queensland — Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra, Cobar, Narrabri, and Gold Coast — and on-demand charter flights across regional and remote Australia. The fleet's small size and turboprop configuration allow operations from short or regional airstrips that larger jets cannot serve, underpinning the airline's regional niche.

The company generates revenue from four streams: scheduled passenger fares (sold across four tiers — Pelican Saver, Flyer, Flexible, and Corporate — with pricing starting from $119 on Newcastle-Sydney and $373 on Sydney-Cobar), air charter (24/7 quote-based for corporate, government, tourism, and FIFO clients), air freight and cargo (including dangerous goods and emergency medical supplies under IATA/CASA approvals), and animal transport operated in partnership with Dogtainers. Distribution combines direct online booking (proprietary Zenith-based platform at booking.flypelican.com.au), GDS-connected travel agents, the new Qantas interline channel (effective 2 June 2025), and direct B2B charter sales. Ancillary offerings include four-tier fare differentiation, a Pelican Local last-minute fare on Sydney-Cobar, Refund Protect via Protect Group, web check-in, and a pilot cadetship program partnered with Inbound Aviation.

The business is led by CEO Martin Hawley with directors Paul Graham and Emil Mccabe. The company is privately held with no disclosed parent, external investors, or funding rounds, and is independently funded through operating cash flow. Strategic priorities over the past two years have been route expansion (Newcastle-Narrabri in 2023, Newcastle-Gold Coast in 2025), the Qantas interline partnership replacing the terminated Velocity relationship, and buildout of internal MRO capacity at the Newcastle base.

Name

FlyPelican

Legal name

Pelican Airlines Pty Ltd

Website

https://flypelican.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FlyPelican is a 100% Australian-owned regional airline operating 19-seat Jetstream 32 turboprops across six NSW/ACT/QLD destinations (Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra, Cobar, Narrabri, Gold Coast), with scheduled passenger, charter, freight, and animal transport services distributed via direct online booking, GDS, and a Qantas interline agreement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Air Transportation

NAICS

Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation (481111), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211)

SIC

Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Turboprop Regional Airlines (THABACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

On-Demand Scheduled Commuter (Part 135/Small Aircraft Scheduled) (THABACAN)

Keywords

• Regional airline services
• Scheduled passenger flights
• Aircraft charter services
• Air freight transport
• Pilot training program

Headquarters

HQ city

New Lambton

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Scheduled Passenger Air Travel: FlyPelican sells tickets for scheduled regional passenger services across routes including Newcastle-Canberra, Newcastle-Sydney, Sydney-Narrabri, Newcastle-Gold Coast, and Sydney-Cobar. Tickets are sold across multiple fare classes (Pelican Corporate, Pelican Flexible, Pelican Flyer, Pelican Saver) with varying refund/change rules and baggage allowances. Revenue is generated on a per-ticket (one-time transaction) basis.
2. Air Charter Services: FlyPelican provides private aircraft charter services for corporate groups, government agencies, tourism operators, FIFO workers, and individuals. Services are available 24/7 365 days a year and can be contracted or ad-hoc. Charter packages can include ground transport, in-flight catering, freight transport, and accommodation. Pricing is quote-based.
3. Freight and Cargo: Short-notice air freight charter services 24/7 365 days a year. The JetStream32 aircraft move freight including critical parts, emergency medical supplies, and dangerous goods. FlyPelican is approved to carry certain dangerous goods including gases, flammables, toxic substances, oxidisers, radioactive materials, corrosives, and magnetised materials under IATA and CASA regulations.
4. Animal Transport: In partnership with Dogtainers, FlyPelican offers live animal transport across its network. Bookings are managed through Dogtainers. The airline cannot transport individual animals heavier than 30kg.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FlyPelican is a regional airline operating scheduled passenger services and private aircraft charter flights across New South Wales, ACT, and Queensland using a fleet of 19-seat British Aerospace Jetstream 32 turboprop aircraft. The company also provides air freight and cargo transport (including dangerous goods) and live animal transport in partnership with Dogtainers, primarily serving regional communities underserved by major carriers.

Product overview

FlyPelican is a 100% Australian-owned regional airline and aircraft charter company operating a fleet of 19-seat British Aerospace Jetstream 32 turboprop aircraft. The company offers scheduled passenger services between six destinations (Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra, Narrabri, Cobar, and Gold Coast), private and corporate charter flights including FIFO services for the mining sector, air freight and cargo transport with dangerous goods handling capabilities, and animal transport via Dogtainers partnership. The product portfolio includes four fare tiers (Pelican Saver, Flyer, Flexible, and Corporate) plus a Local last-minute fare, all bookable through the proprietary online booking platform with integrated check-in. The company also operates a pilot cadetship program in partnership with Inbound Aviation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Scheduled Passenger Services Regional airline services operating scheduled flights between Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra, Narrabri, Cobar, and Gold Coast using 19-seat British Aerospace Jetstream 32 turboprop aircraft. Targeted at leisure and business travellers needing direct regional connectivity.
• Air Charter Services Private aircraft charter flights for corporate, government, group, and FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) sector needs, servicing regional and remote destinations across Australia 24/7 365 days a year with 19-seat Jetstream 32 aircraft. Charter packages can include ground transport, in-flight catering, freight, and accommodation.
• Air Freight and Cargo Services Short-notice air freight charter services available 24/7 365 days, transporting critical parts, emergency medical supplies, and approved dangerous goods (gases, flammables, toxic substances, oxidisers, radioactive materials, corrosives, magnetised materials) in compliance with CASA and IATA regulations.
• Animal Transport Live animal transport services provided in partnership with Dogtainers, capable of transporting individual animals up to 30kg across the FlyPelican network. Bookings are managed through Dogtainers.
• Newcastle to Gold Coast Route Direct scheduled route between Newcastle (Williamtown) and Gold Coast operating four days per week with a 1.5 hour flight time on a 19-seat Jetstream 32 aircraft, with complimentary checked baggage. Targeted at leisure and business travellers.
• Newcastle to Narrabri Route Direct scheduled route between Newcastle and Narrabri, operating twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays with approximately one hour flight time, providing essential connectivity for FIFO workers, agricultural sector, and healthcare professionals.
• Pilot Cadetship Program Aviation training program in partnership with Inbound Aviation taking cadets from zero flight experience to airline pilot in 12–15 months with intensive flight training (six days a week, 10-hour days) at Mangalore, Victoria, and a guaranteed position at FlyPelican upon completion.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• QantascoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 June 2025FlyPelican and Qantas entered a new one-way interline agreement commencing 2 June 2025. The partnership allows Qantas customers to connect to FlyPelican-operated flights, expanding access to regional destinations in NSW. Eligible FlyPelican passengers purchasing Pelican Flexible or Pelican Corporate fares receive complimentary pre-flight access to Qantas Club domestic lounges in Canberra and the Gold Coast. QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan commented on the partnership expanding travel options and strengthening connections for regional travellers to Qantas' extensive domestic network.
• Inbound AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 July 2023FlyPelican and Inbound Aviation entered a joint venture to deliver a pilot cadetship program. The program takes cadets from zero flight experience to the right-hand seat of a FlyPelican Jetstream 32 aircraft in approximately 12 months. Inbound Aviation provides intensive flight training (six days a week, 10-hour days) at Mangalore, Victoria. Inbound Aviation managing director Tom Gollan noted the partnership brings airline experience back into the training environment while supporting local aviation. First intake of cadets commenced in 2023.
• DogtainersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlyPelican partners with Dogtainers for the transportation of live animals across its network. Dogtainers manages all animal transport bookings, with FlyPelican providing the aircraft capacity. Animals up to 30kg can be transported. This partnership enables FlyPelican to offer a complete animal transport service without managing the logistics internally.
• Protect GroupminorOthersFlyPelican offers a 'Refund Protect' upgrade through Protect Group, allowing passengers to upgrade their booking to a refundable option for qualifying reasons. Refunds are processed directly by Protect Group through an online form. This is a third-party product integration.
• Pelican TravelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlyPelican, together with Pelican Travel, tailors charter packages to meet specific client needs including organising ground transport, arranging in-flight catering, transportation of freight, accommodation, and sourcing the right aircraft for the job.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• QantasLink: Regional subsidiary of Qantas operating turboprops (Dash 8) and small jets across regional Australia. Now an interline partner of FlyPelican, but also a competitor on shared regional corridors with much larger scale and brand recognition.
• Jetstar Airways: Qantas Group low-cost carrier that competes with FlyPelican on price-sensitive leisure routes such as Newcastle-Sydney and Newcastle-Gold Coast, providing significant pricing pressure on regional demand.
• Virgin Australia: Major Australian full-service carrier with regional connections and the Velocity Frequent Flyer program, which FlyPelican was a partner of until June 2025. Operates on overlapping domestic regional corridors.

Direct peers

• Hinterland Aviation: Queensland regional carrier operating scheduled and charter turboprop services out of Cairns to Cape York and Torres Strait communities. Comparable in scale, fleet type and charter/FIFO positioning to FlyPelican.
• Skippers Aviation: Western Australia-based regional airline operating scheduled and charter turboprop services including heavy FIFO exposure to mining clients. Highly comparable small-fleet, resources-anchored operating model to FlyPelican.
• Maroomba Airlines: WA-based regional airline focused on FIFO and charter services to remote mining and resources sites, with a similar turboprop-fleet, ad-hoc scheduling and B2B mining customer mix as FlyPelican's charter arm.
• Rex Airlines (Regional Express Holdings): Australia's largest independent regional airline operating turboprop and small jet services across regional NSW, VIC, SA, QLD, WA and TAS. Closest direct competitor to FlyPelican in regional Australian scheduled and charter markets with overlapping fleet profile (Saab 340) and customer base.
• Airnorth: Regional Australian carrier headquartered in Darwin serving NT, QLD, WA and SA with turboprop scheduled and charter flights, including significant FIFO and resources-sector exposure comparable to FlyPelican's charter business.
• Sharp Airlines: Regional Australian carrier based in Hamilton, Victoria, operating turboprop scheduled and charter services with a similar small-fleet, FIFO/mining and government client profile to FlyPelican.

Emerging players

• Bonza Airlines: Australian low-cost regional start-up that has targeted underserved regional routes similar to FlyPelican's Newcastle-Gold Coast type markets. Competes for the same leisure regional demand pool with a newer fleet and different cost structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/flypelicanairlines
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flypelican

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FlyPelican