OzJet takes off

AUSTRALIA'S new business class airline, OzJet, took to the skies this morning on its first flight, from Melbourne to Sydney.

The airline plans to extend its services next year to include Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth.

It will increase its fleet from three to 10 aircraft.

OzJet will operate eight flights a day in each direction between Sydney and Melbourne from Monday to Friday.

A further 14 flights - seven in each direction - are scheduled for weekends.

Its introductory airfare of $200 one-way between Sydney and Melbourne was announced last week.

OzJet's normal fully-flexible fare will be $325 one-way and $650 return.

Airline founder Paul Stoddart said an OzJet passenger would make the flight between the two cities in 20 per cent less time than it would take to travel with a rival airline.

Passengers can check in 15 minutes before the flight on a 60-seat plane - a reconfigured Boeing 737.

OzJet's carry-on luggage policy - with a capacity of 20kg - is designed to accommodate everything needed for an interstate stopover.

Among the passengers on this morning's inaugural flight was Victoria's tourism minister John Pandazopoulos, who said OzJet's business market focus was of great interest to the State Government.

"While Victoria attracts around 27 per cent of international visitation to Australia, it accounts for around 38 per cent of business travel to Australia," he said.