Overview

• The airline plans to enter Australia’s domestic market in late 2026 with a goal of breaking the Qantas–Virgin Australia duopoly
• Koala has pledged to emphasize strategic innovations and niche services rather than competing solely on low fares
• Its 2019 acquisition of Desert Air Safaris provides an operational base in charter and air tours across Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands
• Founding CEO Bill Astling, who has 45 years of aviation and tourism experience, is spearheading efforts to secure a fleet and obtain an aviation certificate
• Industry analysts say the carrier will need deep-pocketed investors to overcome regulatory hurdles and competition after past low-cost entrants struggled