Ansett Australia is back. But not as you know it
More than 20 years after its final flight, Ansett is making a comeback.
Melbourne-based technology entrepreneur Constantine Frantzeskos has revived the Ansett brand, bringing back the iconic Australian airline as an AI-powered travel agency.
The Ansett Travel platform, which is now live, is designed as a hyper-personalised travel concierge that will offer predictive trip recommendations and itineraries based on a customers' preference, budget and calendar events.
'Ansett was such a wonderful, innovative brand. It was a pioneer of great service, they were the first ones to bring business class to Australia, and they were loved by their customers,' Frantzeskos said in an interview.
'I thought wouldn't it be a cool thing to genuinely bring this brand back to life. And that's what I'm doing, I'm building the personal travel agent of the future.
'This will be a travel agent that understands you, your family, your needs, your budget and where you've been. That's the vision.'
Ansett had operated for 65 years and was the nation's second-largest airline before it was grounded in late 2001, with some 16,000 jobs lost as a result. Its downfall was seen at the time as a 'perfect storm' of poor culture, financial strain, union issues and fleet mismanagement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Australian
2 hours ago
- The Australian
Jobs warning: The workers most at risk in Australia's unemployment surge
Australia's white collar workers will soon be under threat as experts warn the job slow down is 'more complicated' this time around. In its latest release of jobs data, the ABS revealed Australia's unemployment rate soared to 4.3 per cent, its highest level since the post pandemic recovery. The falls were broad-based with NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory all seeing strong spikes in unemployment. Drilling down into the figures, so far it has impacted blue collar workers disproportionately, but it is expected major technological advancements will flip the script in the next year. ABS data released in June shows workers living in Sydney's west, including the Parramatta district have an unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent, compared to Sutherland in Sydney's south, which recorded just a 2.3 per cent unemployment rate. The job market is impacting Australian workers differently. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer Meanwhile, those in Melbourne Inner East and South have seen a 0.2 per cent spike in unemployment while those in Geelong have actually seen the market strengthen. AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said this could change as unemployment becomes 'more complicated this time' as the number of new public sector roles drops and AI use becomes more commonplace within corporations. 'Normally it's the more cyclical parts that are vulnerable including manufacturing, construction, and retail,' he told NewsWire. 'This time could be a little different.' 'You've also got the overlay of AI coming in which suggests there could be more of an impact on white collar jobs, as companies seek to lower their costs through the emergence of the new technology.' White collars are tipped to be the hardest hit by the rise in unemployment. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw Seek's monthly jobs data also points to less need for white collar workers. The construction sector was the only area that recorded a lift in job ads in June as a whole, while there were some pockets in growth for those in professional services including markets and communications and accounting. Meanwhile available information and communications technology positions continued to decline, with job ads falling 3.5 per cent in June or 10.5 per cent for the year. Advertised positions in the sector have now fallen below covid levels. Seek senior economist Blair Chapman said there had been a 5.5 per cent fall in job ads, and an increase in the number of Australians looking for work. Traditional construction jobs are less likely to be impacted by the change in workers. Construction Generics. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard 'On the other side of the market, applications per job ad have never been higher, and have now surpassed the peak recorded in 2020 when job ads were at their lowest,' he said. 'This rise is due to an increased candidate pool, rather than candidates applying for more roles. 'Over the past couple of years more Australians have taken on a second job, or are looking to do so, and more workers have entered or re-entered the workforce. 'This is likely in response to increased living costs, and as a result, competition is extremely strong for most available roles.'
The Australian
2 hours ago
- The Australian
Video: Max Jorgensen, Will Skelton and Nic White inside the Wallabies camp
This is the side of the Wallabies you've never seen. Funny, quick-witted and happily sharing laughs - quite often at each others' expense — less than 48 hours before probably the biggest Test clash of their entire careers. Three players — Max Jorgensen, Will Skelton and Nic White — sat down for some fun with Code Sports on Thursday, just moments after the second Test squad was named for the must-win clash at the MCG tonight against the British & Irish Lions. Winger Jorgensen — punctual and polite — with his kit ready to change into arrived first, followed by Skelton, who was wearing only socks on his feet, while half White bounced in like a Labrador with his moustache ready for its close up. During an afternoon generally reserved for sponsor commitments, the trio gave a glimpse into their off-field chemistry talking about their jetsetting lifestyle as Wallabies as part of the title partnership for the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions tour to Australia 2025. Skelton's deadpan response to the first thing he does when boarding a plane, 'Turn left', had his mates in stitches. He then happily named prop Taniela Tupou as the biggest snorer on the plane. Jorgensen, 20, was mocked by White for still letting his mum pack his bags and for his luxury shopping habits during stopovers with mate Joseph Suaalii. They also let slip there's an unwritten law that the more junior players give up their exit-row seats for teammates with the most Test caps, while there may or may not be a player who claps when their plane lands at a destination. The Wallabies will be hoping there's 90,000 fans applauding their victory at the MCG on Saturday night.
The Australian
2 hours ago
- The Australian
Luxury Toorak mansion listed by ex-AFL boss Andrew Demetriou for $15.5m
Former AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou and his model wife Symone Richards have listed their opulent Toorak home with hopes of $14.5m to $15.5m. Agents for the high-profile couple have relaunched the marketing campaign to sell the 1930s-built property fronting 5 Tyalla Crescent, Toorak that the Demetriou family purchased in 2007. In that time frame they hired top-tier Melbourne interior designer David Hicks to redo the property while keeping its grand period character. The Demetriou family wants to downsize, but will sell first, so are marketing the Marcus Martin-designed home that blends classic architecture with modern family function. It has six bedrooms, a six-car basement, swimming pool and spa, and a landscaped rear garden with a firepit, trampoline and basketball court. Antoinette Nido, managing director Stonnington, Melbourne Sotheby's International Realty and Max Ruttner, managing director Stonnington, Melbourne Sotheby's International Realty, are handling the sale of the high-profile residence, saying that homes of this calibre rarely come to market. Ms Nido says the house has great proportions and spaces as well as a fantastic children's area upstairs, two studies and she likes the fact that the children's study is close to the kitchen and family room. 'You can be cooking while watching homework happen across the room,' Ms Nido said. She notes the house, positioned on 1100sq m, is close to schools including St Kevin's College Toorak, St Catherine's and Scotch College as well as public transport. 'The proportions are exceptional. It's a true 1930s Toorak home with a sense of grandeur from the moment you arrive.' A circular driveway leads to an imposing formal entry and lounge, with a private study and expansive open-plan family zone at the rear. The marble kitchen and large butler's pantry open to outdoor entertaining spaces that capture the northern light. The designer main bedroom suite has a walk-in robe, luxurious ensuite and balcony. Mr Demetriou was the chief executive of the AFL from 2003 to 2014. The Australian businessman, a former AFL player, is also a sports administrator. The listing comes as real estate activity lifts across Melbourne's prestige market, with buyers circling family homes in established blue-chip pockets. 'At the top end the market is pretty good,' Ms Nido said. 'There's a number of buyers who have made money from IPOs and are in the market for properties in the $15m to $50m range. They want good locations, a large land size, proximity to leading schools and good design. Some people specifically like character homes. 'At this level, it is not a one-size-fits-all market, with some buyers attracted to character-filled homes and others chasing more modern properties. But the fundamentals of natural light, connection to gardens and good amenities remain sought after.' Recent top-end sales in the area include 53 Rose Street, Armadale, the home of interior designer Melissa Giuffrida. It fetched close to $9m. The lowdown on high-end sales Lisa Allen Associate Editor & Editor, Mansion Australia Lisa Allen is an Associate Editor of The Australian, and is Editor of The Weekend Australian's property magazine, Mansion Australia. Lisa has been a senior reporter in business and property with the paper since 2012. She was previously Queensland Bureau Chief for The Australian Financial Review and has written for the BRW Rich List. Property Mogul Chris Morris has outbid rival Sam Arnaout with a $184m offer for the Reef Hotel Casino, citing strategic advantages with his existing Queensland operations. Commercial Lendlease is turning to Japanese capital to back its latest $2.5bn development scheme, with two big names supporting Sydney's next ultra-luxury site.
