Skytrans pulls out of all Torres Strait island routes
A major shake-up has been announced for air travel into the Torres Straits after the falling through of a Skytrans deal with Northern Territory Air Services to provide island transfers.
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A major shake-up will impact air travel into the Torres Straits after a Skytrans deal with Northern Territory Air Services to provide island transfers fell through.
Skytrans, acquired by Avia Solutions Group last year, announced an agreement with Northern Territory Air Services to hand over operation of the carrier’s Cessna Caravan C208 fleet in February.
The move away from turboprop aircraft and the taking up of a codeshare agreement with QantasLink to operate the Sydney to Lord Howe Island route was described as a “passing of the baton” by then Skytrans chief executive Alan Milne.
The transition from QantasLink to Skytrans is due to end in February 2026 but before then it’s understood rebranded planes will fly the Lord Howe route under Smartlynx Australia.
It has now been revealed the deal with Northern Territory Air Services to operate the Skytrans Cessna Caravan fleet is dead and Hinterland Aviation will now fly the fleet of five aircraft on all Torres Strait Island routes.
Skytrans chief executive Richard George described the divesting of island routes as a “difficult decision”.
Customers booked to travel after May 9 will be given the option of a refund or a transfer to Hinterland Aviation.
All passengers flying Horn Island to Badu, Kubin, Mabuiag, Coconut, Warraber, Yam, Darnley, Murray, Yorke, Boigu and Saibai will be impacted.
“All other Skytrans flights across the cape will continue to operate as normal,” Mr George said.
The pulling out of island routes follows the grounding of flights to Murray, Darnley and Mabuiag islands in 2022 and a public stoush with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority over policing of takeoff and landing distance regulations.
Though passengers have been kept in the loop, Torres Strait Island Regional Council chief executive James William said it was disappointing little notice had been given to a broader stakeholder group.
“It’s been done on the quiet,” he said.
“The consumers were informed but not other organisations like TSIRC.
“It’s unfortunate but I understand this is a commercial decision for Skytrans.
“In the long-term, airlines that operate in the region must be supported financially and if they are not it’s an awful scenario to see those services put under stress.
“We are yet to see what the impact will be and I have been told that Skytrans has referred customers to Hinterland.”
In a statement Hinterland Aviation requested patience from passengers during the transition as the company finalised new travel arrangements.
“Our team is working hard to ensure minimal disruption,” the statement said.
“We welcome the opportunity to serve you and look forward to supporting the Torres Strait community with reliable and dedicated air services.”
Originally published as Skytrans pulls out of all Torres Strait island routes
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