Skytrans Airlines

Skytrans Airlines is a Queensland owned and operated airline and air charter business based in Cairns. The airline operates scheduled passenger services from Cairns to nine locations throughout Cape York. 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 banner.^[2]

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.

Skytrans suspended operations with effect from 2 January 2015 when 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 January 2, 2015.^[3]

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.^[4][5]

Operations

Skytrans provides scheduled service flights throughout the Cape York Region.

As at 4 May 2015, Skytrans operated the following services:

• Cairns to Aurukun
• Aurukun to Weipa
• Weipa to Bamaga
• Bamaga to Horn Island
• Horn Island to Weipa
• Weipa to Cairns
• Cairns to Kowanyama
• Kowanyama to Edward Island
• Edward Island to Lockhart River
• Lockhart River to Coen
• Coen to Cairns
• Cairns to Horn Island

Fleet

Skytrans Airlines Dash 8-102 in Sydney

As of October 2016, the Skytrans fleet consisted of eight de Havilland Canada Dash 8-102^[6]

Sponsorships

Skytrans had delivered multimillion-dollar sponsorships and endorsements to communities in Queensland, donating to more than 250 organisations before its demise.^[7] Skytrans was a major sponsor of the Cairns Taipans in the National Basketball League and supported various causes such as AFL Kickstart, Choice Business Australia, The Queensland Cancer Council, and Harold's House.

References

External links

Media related to Skytrans Airlines at Wikimedia Commons

• Company website

Airlines of Australia
Scheduled passenger airlines	Airlines of Tasmania Airnorth Alliance Airlines Cobham Aviation Services Australia Eastern Australia Airlines FlyPelican Fly Tiwi JETGO Australia Jetstar Airways King Island Airlines Qantas QantasLink Regional Express Airlines Sharp Airlines Skippers Aviation Skytrans Airlines Sunstate Airlines Tigerair Australia Virgin Australia Virgin Australia International Airlines Virgin Australia Regional Airlines
Charter passenger airlines	Air Link Aircruising Australia Alliance Airlines Hinterland Aviation Maroomba Airlines Network Aviation Northern Territory Air Services Pearl Aviation Pel-Air Rossair Seair Pacific Shoal Air Skytraders
Cargo airlines	Australian air Express Express Freighters Australia HeavyLift Cargo Airlines Pacific Air Express Tasman Cargo Airlines Toll Aviation Toll Priority
Defunct airlines	see Defunct airlines of Australia
List of airline holding companies