Story ID: 
Waltzing Matilda Aviation Plans Part 121 Service
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: The Massachusetts-based Part 135 operator plans to begin scheduled air service to Toronto in October.
Word Count: 205
Part 135 operator Waltzing Matilda Aviation (WMA) is preparing to launch scheduled passenger service in October using Q400 regional turboprops. The Bedford, Massachusetts company will initially operate service to Billy Bishop airport in Toronto.

As a result of the new service, WMA has assembled an advisory board consisting of former JetBlue president and CEO Russell Chew; Icelandair board member and Plane View Partners senior advisor Nina Jonsson; former Virgin Australia Airlines chief marketing officer Inese Kingsmill; former United Airlines senior v-p of network, pricing, and revenue management Doug Leo; former Greenbriar Equity Group managing partner Ray Benvenuti; and Samsonite chief financial officer Reza Taleghani.

“Having been in the global airline industry for more than 40 years, I have been very fortunate in working with many incredibly talented and dedicated professionals who share my passion for a stable and financially successful airline industry,” said WMA co-founder and CEO John Thomas. “This board, along with our experienced management team, brings together the best of this talent.”

As a result of its scheduled service plans, WMA will seek to add FAA Part 121 scheduled and nonscheduled services to its air operator certificate. The move comes after 80 percent revenue growth between 2019 and 2020, WMA said.