Air Transport

Australia's Strategic Airlines has received a French air operators certificate (AOC) and is in negotiations for a third Airbus A320.

The AOC was awarded by France's Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civil, says the carrier.

Strategic operates two A320s and two A330s. Both A330s operate in Australia.

Of Strategic's A320s, one is arriving in Australia today and will operate from 14 August under contract with Solomon Airlines, says Strategic CEO David Blake. The other will remain in France for European wet-lease and charter operations.

Strategic is in lease negotiations with Macquarie AirFinance for a third A320 which is now undergoing a 'C-check' in France, says Blake. From October, Strategic hopes to deploy this aircraft on the Perth-Derby route in western Australia, he adds.