Ian Mitchell appointed Chief Executive of RegionalLink Airline Franchise

Mr Ian Mitchell, one of Australia's most experienced airline and tourism executives, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of RegionalLink Airlines, a new company which will operate Australia's first airline franchise model.

The company will unite a group of independently-owned regional airlines as RegionalLink franchise operators, and provide for them national branding and affordable access to functions such as reservations, purchasing, yield management, ground handling and information technology.

Mr Mitchell has spent 31 years in the aviation and tourism industries, including a range of senior roles with Qantas and the former Australian Airlines, and as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Territory Tourist Commission in the early 1990s.

His most recent role was Group General Manager, Australia Sales for Qantas, to which he was appointed in March 2001.

Prior to this, Mr Mitchell was Group General Manager - UK, Europe and South East Asia Sales for Qantas. This followed a four-year period as Regional General Manager for Qantas in Queensland.

Before joining the NTTC in October, 1992, Mr Mitchell spent 19 years with Trans Australia Airlines and Australian Airlines, in roles throughout Australia including General Sales Manager, and Manager South Australia and Northern Territory. He also spent almost three years as Sales Manager Central USA, in Chicago.

Mr Mitchell is a board member of the Western Australian Tourist Commission, and for the past three years was a director of Harvey Choice Holidays Limited. 

He has also been a director of other tourism organisations including the Pacific Asia Travel Association worldwide board, and both the Canberra Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Adelaide Convention and Visitors Bureau.

RegionalLink Airlines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NT-based aviation company Capiteq Limited. The Chief Executive of Capiteq, Mr Michael Bridge, said Mr Mitchell brought considerable experience not just to RegionalLink, but to the airlines which operate from today under these expanding franchise operations.

"Ian brings to our organisation extensive experience in the aviation and tourism industries, a detailed knowledge of the Australian market, and significant relationships across the aviation, travel and tourism industries," said Mr Bridge.

"We are delighted he has accepted our invitation to head RegionalLink Airlines, and to lead this growing family of operators forward in the Australian market."