Australia gets a new budget airline

A NEW budget carrier flying passengers both domestically and to regional tourist hotspots has been launched today in the wake of Qantas's grounding crisis.

Until now primarily a charter company, Strategic Airlines said it would add more routes

to its existing line-up and rebrand itself "Air Australia", with jets sporting the green and gold livery usually associated with the nation's sporting teams.

The Air Australia design, produced by Virgin Blue designer Sean Cummins, features a distinct gold and green boomerang motif with a grey secondary colour.

Small boomerangs are featured on the planes' wing tips.

"Strategic Airlines will retire its name, red white and blue brand and full service business model commencing from 15 November 2011 to become Air Australia, a new international and domestic low-cost carrier," the firm said.