Skytrans in fight to keep critical Torres Strait air services alive
Enforcement of new airline safety regulations has cast a dark cloud over the viability of Torres Strait carriers who have already been forced to suspend flights and reduce passenger numbers.
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The commercial viability of Torres Strait airlines is under threat following a recent change to Civil Aviation Safety Regulations that have already forced service suspensions and reduced passenger numbers.
Cairns-based carrier Skytrans has suspended flights to Murray, Darnley and Mabuiag islands serviced by Cessna Caravan aircraft and is now in a holding pattern while waiting to learn if
an exemption to new regulations will be permitted, after the Civil Aviation Safety Authority moved the goalposts in December last year.
The airline has cut passenger numbers on aircraft servicing five other Torres Strait Island destinations to comply with a safety buffer that now must be added to minimum takeoff and landing distances as outlined by the aircraft manufacturer.
Despite the airline having a largely unblemished safety record for more than 20 years Skytrans must apply for an exemption to new Flight Operations Regulations.
Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch was outraged the already prohibitive cost of airfares could increase and islanders were being forced into dinghies to cross often treacherous and large expanses of open water to attend school, weddings and cultural events.
“I think it’s a bloody disgrace,” he said.
“They have been trying to get some commonsense from CASA but they have run into a brick wall. This is an important issue, it’s putting Torres Islanders at risk and into dinghies.”
Mr Entsch said he was concerned aviation providers may withdraw from Torres Strait routes.
On Wednesday CASA confirmed submission of an updated exemption request from Skytrans which had been made a top priority, according to a spokesman.
“Skytrans is seeking a reduced runway safety factor to allow it to operate into the aerodromes and we are working through the application as quickly as is practicable,” the spokesman said.
But Mr Entsch was frustrated by the sudden rule change given the airline’s safety record.
“For all the years I have landed on those strips, many, many times without any issue at all,” he said.
Skytrans Group chief executive officer Alan Milne said passengers being bumped from flights had significant implications when operating with wafter thin margins.
“We are operating most island services at a loss,” he said.
“We can’t continue to do it at a loss but as long as we can break even or make a moderate profit, we are happy. We have to keep the services alive.”
Mr Milne was confident a high-level meeting with CASA officials next week would likely return a favourable result for the airline.
“They have agreed to sit down and we won’t leave the room until it’s sorted,” he said.
“I am hopeful for the end of next week, as soon as we get the timeline we will put everything back on sale.”
A spokeswoman for Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said the government was aware of community concern relating to the impact of new aviation regulations.
However, it’s understood aviation safety legislation does not allow the Minister to grant Skytrans an exemption from the regulations.
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