General News
30 July, 2021
The sky's the limit for local aviation company
Far North Queensland aviation operator Skytrans has announced two new services offering business and leisure passenger greater access to key regional areas.
For the first time, Skytrans will operate return flights between Cairns-Whitsunday Coast Airport-Rockhampton. These services will depart 5 times per week and commence from September 13.
The regular flights connecting Cairns to the Whitsundays will allow greater access for Far North Queensland into resorts on Hamilton, Daydream and Hayman Islands.
Skytrans Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne said “the Queensland owned company was proud to be expanding its services”
Mr Milne said “the new services between Cairns-Whitsunday Coast Airport-Rockhampton would position the company to grow strongly as demand picks up”
“The big winners will be locals who live in Cairns, the Whitsunday region and Rockhampton because they will have additional choice and we are committed to delivering the best service possible for these local communities,”
“The big winners will be locals who live in Cairns, the Whitsunday region and Rockhampton because they will have additional choice and we are committed to delivering the best service possible for these local communities,” Mr Milne said.
“There’s no doubt that international and domestic tourism has taken a battering because of the pandemic but we believe these routes will be very popular and continue to grow when borders reopen and stay open.”
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox said “it was exciting that the Council owned airport had inked a deal with Queensland owned airline Skytrans that would deliver another 44,000 seats annually to the Whitsunday region”
“We are excited to add a new airline partner that will increase our national domestic connectivity as well as international connectivity when the world reopens post the Covid pandemic”
“The Whitsundays is one of the most popular domestic holiday destinations and with an additional 44,000 seats annually via Skytrans, we can welcome more visitors to our backyard, in the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef,” Mayor Willcox said.
In addition to the announcement of the Whitsunday route, Skytrans will commence flying today from Cairns to Horn Island in the Torres Strait.
Mr Milne said “the Cairns-Horn Island-Bamaga services added even more focus to Skytrans’ operations in Far North Queensland”
“The major benefit of Skytrans operating to Horn Island will be the seamless connectivity with Skytrans services to the many Torres Strait islands serviced by the wholly Queensland owned airline”
“Our customers will now have the option to book a through ticket from Thursday Island to Cairns and return in collaboration with our partner Rebel Ferries. “
“Flying to Bamaga may only be a short hop but it will provide huge benefits for locals through increased connectivity with Cairns and the Torres Strait islands,” Mr Milne said. “This service will now officially become the shortest domestic airline flight in Australia”.
“We’re thrilled to be able to connect even more regional Queenslanders by flying to Bamaga.”
“The new service will also provide addition freight capacity for the Bamaga community, which is a service we are very proud to deliver.”
Both services will use the company’s Dash 8-100 aircraft, which has a capacity of up to 36 passengers.
