50 Years of Aviation Heritage to Build on
In 2019, Koala Airlines proudly acquired Desert Air Safaris Pty Ltd, a pioneering company in air tours and charter flights that had been operating for over 50 years throughout Australia, PNG and the Pacific Islands. This acquisition brought together two passionate entities dedicated to enhancing travel experiences both domestically and internationally.
1970
Desert Air Safaris was founded in 1970 by airline pilot Dick Lang and his wife, Helen. Together, they transformed the Australian outback and remote destinations into accessible havens for countless travellers, both Australian and international.
Desert Air Fleet
Desert Air was Australia’s oldest airline focused solely on developing the tourism industry. It was the first to introduce the concept of ‘packages’ to the market. It operated the iconic DC-3 aircraft, offering tourists a unique experience. Desert Air later expanded the fleet with the introduction of modern twin-engine aircraft.
1998
By 1998, Desert Air had consolidated its operations at Adelaide Airport. As pioneers in eco-tourism, Dick and Helen's efforts were recognised with numerous awards from both State and Federal Governments.
2024
The legacy of Desert Air will continue under the rebranded name of Koala Airlines. With a rich heritage to build on, our focus is clear: we aim to distinguish ourselves by our new initiatives and innovations that complement rather than compete with established norms.