Rich-lister Jerry Schwartz reveals ‘luxe’ plan for Sydney Seaplanes after takeover
Hotelier and rich-lister Jerry Schwartz is poised to take over Sydney Seaplanes, with plans to take the scenic charter flights business more upmarket.
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Hotelier and rich-lister Jerry Schwartz is poised to take over Sydney Seaplanes, with plans to take the scenic charter flights business more upmarket.
Dr Schwartz, who has an estimated worth of $596m, first bought into the Rose Bay company in 2018, partnering with Aaron Shaw and Ken Gaunt.
His Schwartz Family Company has now acquired a majority share for an undisclosed sum, which will grow to full ownership by the middle of the year.
The sale includes the Rose Bay headquarters of Sydney Seaplanes and the adjoining Empire Lounge restaurant bar and function venue.
Under Dr Schwartz’s ownership the facilities will be rebranded as the Sydney Seaplanes lounge, offering pre- and post-flight seafood with champagne or cocktails.
He said seaplanes represented a rich and unique aspect of Sydney’s heritage, when arriving by the amphibious aircraft amounted to “the ultimate in luxe travel”.
“Rose Bay was the arrival point for the famous Qantas flying boats that opened up the ‘Kangaroo Route’ back in 1938, and I’m proud that we can continue the seaplane tradition by providing inspirational tours of Sydney Harbour and flights to picturesque locations along the coast,” Dr Schwartz said.
“Just as anyone arriving on the massive seaplanes decades ago never could forget their arrival into Sydney, we want to ensure that every passenger has an unforgettable flight experience with us.”
To achieve his vision, two more aircraft are being added to the Sydney Seaplanes fleet, which currently comprises two amphibious Cessna Caravans, and a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver.
An additional DHC-2 Beaver owned by Dr Schwartz will join the fleet as soon as amphibious floats are fitted, with a fifth aircraft to arrive by the end of the year.
A new head chef, Natali Mikailoğlu, has been appointed to the Sydney Seaplanes lounge, with a brief to focus on fresh seasonal produce and locally sourced seafood.
Dr Schwartz said they would “relive” the glamour days of the 1930s by offering “indulgent packages at one of the most enviable waterfront locations in Sydney”.
“Diners can feast on the freshest seafood and enjoy champagne and cocktails before or after their flight,” he said.
“Wedding couples can literally fly off into the sunset after a wedding reception at the venue. Besides being an outstanding location for dining and drinks, we will be making it a premium venue for prestigious events and functions.”
The charter operation is not far from Dr Schwartz’s Phoenix Acres mansion at Vaucluse, which he purchased for a staggering $67m in 2018.
His family business is recognised as the largest privately owned hotel group in the country, with 14 properties including the Sofitel Darling Harbour, Rydges World Square and the Fairmont Resort in the Blue Mountains.
Last year he added Leura Gardens Resort to his portfolio for $25m, which he plans to combine with the Fairmont.
Sydney Seaplanes was first established in 2006 with one aircraft by Mr Shaw, and operates scenic flights over the harbour, as well as to Whale Beach, Palm Beach, Cottage Point and Hawkesbury River.
Disaster struck on New Year’s Eve in 2017, when a Sydney Seaplanes DHC-2 Beaver crashed into Jerusalem Bay, killing the pilot and five British passengers.
A lengthy investigation found carbon monoxide poisoning to be the cause, as a result of a crack in the exhaust system attributed to the use of non-standard bolts by the maintenance provider.
Mr Shaw and Mr Gaunt will have no further involvement in Sydney Seaplanes from mid-year, but they will remain part of subsidiary Alt Air, which aims to become the world’s first fully electric commercial airline.
Launched in 2021, the company has plans to operate electric take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) often described as air taxis to ferry passengers from Sydney to the Central Coast and Wollongong.
Mr Gaunt said they were expecting investments of $15m to help realise their objectives which were “in response to mounting community expectations and stringent emissions reductions”.
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