Skytrans
IATA ICAO Callsign
QN SKP SKYTRANS
FoundedOctober 1990
Commenced operations1993
1 April 2015 (re-branded)
Operating bases
Fleet size11
Destinations21
Parent companyCollings Aircraft Holdings
HeadquartersCairns, Queensland, Australia
Key people
Websiteskytrans.com.au

Skytrans is an Australian owned and operated airline and air charter business based in Cairns. The airline operates RPT (Regular Public Transport) and charter services from Cairns, Horn Island, and Brisbane. After being placed in administration in January 2015, Skytrans returned to the skies on 31 March 2015.

History

Skytrans was founded by David and Sue Barnard in October 1990 as a charter airline, and began scheduled flights in 1993.[1] In November 2000, Skytrans merged with AirSwift Aviation, another small regional airline based in Cairns.[2] In June 2001, Skytrans took over services to Cooktown and Karumba from MacAir Airlines.[2] In January 2005, the airline began to operate in competition with QantasLink on the Cairns to Townsville route, operating from its own terminals in both cities.[2]

In December 2006, the airline was acquired from its founders by Australian Aviation Holdings, owner of Queensland Regional Airlines (QRA) and Inland Pacific Air. Skytrans and QRA subsequently merged under the Skytrans Regional brand.[2][3]

Late in 2014, the carrier had sought to reduce costs by cutting its workforce of 200 employees by over half while trimming its fleet of seven Dash 8-100s and three Dash 8-300s.[4]

Skytrans suspended operations with effect from 2 January 2015 when it was placed in voluntary administration. In a statement, Managing Director Simon Wild blamed the worsening Australian dollar currency exchange rate, coupled with a tough operating environment – worsened by the loss of three Queensland regulated regional air routes in late 2014. The end of operations came a day after the carrier marked its 25th anniversary of Queensland services - outback and regional Queensland, the Gulf country, and Cape York services in particular on 2 January 2015.[5][4]

On 31 March 2015, Skytrans returned to the skies under the ownership of Collings Holdings Airlines owned by Peter Collings, who also owns West Wing Aviation, and Rugby League player Johnathan Thurston.[6][7]

Destinations

Skytrans operates RPT and charter flights throughout the Cape York and Torres Strait regions.[8] Skytrans also provides charter flights out of Brisbane Airport for Queensland Gas Company (QGC).[9]

Destinations served from Cairns Airport:

Destinations served from Horn Island Airport:

Destinations served from Brisbane Airport:

Fleet

Skytrans Dash 8-100 at Brisbane Airport

As of June 2018, the Skytrans fleet consisted of four de Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 (as of August 2019)[11] and six Cessna 208 Caravans.[12]

Sponsorships

Skytrans has delivered multimillion-dollar sponsorships and endorsements to communities in Queensland, donating to more than 250 organisations.[13] Skytrans is a major sponsor of the Cairns Taipans in the National Basketball League and has supported various causes such as AFL Kickstart, Choice Business Australia, The Queensland Cancer Council, and Harold's House.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "RAAA| Aviation History". www.raaa.com.au. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Skytrans". www.aviationcollection.org. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  3. ↑ "Skytrans Regional". Airline History. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  4. 1 2 Drum, Bruce (2 January 2015). "Skytrans of Australia shuts down today". World Airline News.
  5. ↑ Cairns based Skytrans regional airline closes operations ABC News 3 January 2015
  6. ↑ Skytrans flies again in far north Queensland Sydney Morning Herald 31 March 2015
  7. ↑ Jonathon Thurston steps up to help kick start Skytrans airline The Australian 1 April 2015
  8. ↑ "Skytrans Route Map".
  9. ↑ "SKYTRANS SOARS WITH NEW $25 MILLION CONTRACT" (PDF).
  10. ↑ "Skytrans major expansion in QLD". Skytrans. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  11. ↑ "Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World: 4. October 2019.
  12. ↑ "CASA Aircraft Register".
  13. ↑ "Rex won't match high flying generosity of former rival Skytrans". The Australian. Retrieved 17 October 2015.

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