SARS
In June 2003, BackpackersXpress sought A $80 million with the goal to begin operations in November 2003. However, investors were reluctant to provide funding due to concerns over the impact on the aviation industry of the Iraq War and Severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic. The project proponents told the "Australian Financial Review" in December that year that they had been able to demonstrate that the market for backpacker tourism was less affected by these events, and that they intended to apply for an air operator's certificate in January 2004.