Torres Strait Island flight services on hold amid new CASA runway regulations

Schoolchildren in the Torres Strait have been forced to take long distance trips in dinghies as Skytrans battles aviation regulator over safety measures. Find out the details.

Schoolchildren in the Torres Strait are being forced to take long distance trips in dinghies to get around the suspension of some Skytrans services, as the airline battles the regulator to fast-track exemptions to new runway safety requirements.

The airline cited “operational restrictions” when suspending flights to Murray, Darnley and Mabuiag islands earlier this month.

Skytrans chief executive officer Alan Milne said restrictions relating to new landing strip requirements imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority had forced the grounding of planes using short runways, despite the safe operation of Cessna Caravan aircraft for more two decades.

Waua Islet in the eastern Torres Strait with Murray Island in the background.

“When we operate into shorter runways we have to apply performance data provided by the manufacturer, in this case Cessna,” he said.

“When we applied the new regulations we found we wouldn’t be able to carry any passengers and the services would not be viable.”

Mr Milne said new capacity regulations were being rolled out by the aviation regulator to bring Australia in line with international benchmarks.

Skytrans chief executive officer Alan Milne said the airline is working with CASA to overcome new runway restrictions. Picture: Brendan Radke

He said Skytrans had applied to CASA for an exemption based the historic safe operation of the Cessna Caravan.

“It’s not uncommon to apply for an exemption to a regulation if we can prove there is no compromise to safety,” he said.

“It’s a bit of a rolling delay and we’re trying to get our passengers flying as soon as possible.”

A CASA spokesman told the Cairns Post the body was “working closely with Skytrans” to get planes servicing Murray, Darnley and Mabuiag islands.

An aerial view of Murray Island showing the airstrip in the centre of the island.

“CASA is aware that Skytrans has voluntarily suspended some services while it reviews how runway requirements can be met at some locations,” he said.

Karin Neilson said her family would now pick up children in a boat this week after flights were temporarily grounded.

“At least we have a plan B, but others are still working on trying to get over. (It’s) just so disappointing, come on Skytrans,” she commented on the airline’s social media post.

In 2019 a 7m banana boat called the Pana Boy went missing in bad weather en route to Dauan Island. Five souls on board, including a nine-year-old boy, were never seen again.

The 7m vessel Pana Boy being towed by a rescue craft after being found upturned in waters south west of Dauan Island.

Mr Milne said it had been a “long and hard” road to get around the new regulations and it was a concern when alternative transport options exposed travellers to unnecessary risk.

“You are on a proven safe airline and we are going to force you to run a dinghy across the straits in an outboard-powered boat,” he said.

“It’s a bit of a disconnect for them as far as the broader picture goes and that’s why I have escalated this to the CEO, he gets it and the minister gets it.”

Mr Milne didn’t expect a full lifting of restrictions all at once but hoped for a gradual return of services later this month.

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Originally published as Torres Strait Island flight services on hold amid new CASA runway regulations