Ozjet banks on punctuality to lure customers

New airline Ozjet achieved a perfect on-time record for its flights over the holiday period, after admitting to "teething troubles" in its first months of operation.

Melbourne-based Ozjet has announced that all 173 flights on the Sydney to Melbourne route departed on time in the month to January 15.

Flights that leave within 15 minutes of scheduled departure times are classified as on time by the industry, with Australian carriers traditionally achieving percentages in the high 80's.

Ozjet chief executive Hans van Pelt said the company was pleased to have achieved a 100 per cent on-time record for the month.

"As the newcomer to the market, travellers are just getting to know us but the great thing is that they are getting to know that Ozjet is the most on-time airline," he said.

"After the inevitable few teething troubles in the first few days, it is immensely satisfying that we have established ourselves as a very reliable carrier."

Earlier this month, Mr van Pelt admitted that Ozjet had attracted less passengers than anticipated after its launch in November after months of delays.

However, Mr van Pelt said that Ozjet was enjoying higher passenger loads since the introduction of its two-for-one special deal last Monday.

Ozjet customers who buy a ticket between now and the end of the month will receive another flight free for themselves, or another passenger.

The business class airline, owned by ex-Formula One Minardi team boss Paul Stoddart, has a fleet of three aircraft, with two more to begin operating by the end of February.

- AAP