Skytrans gets green light to land at Mabuiag and Erub islands
Flights back into the Torres Straits after a lengthy suspension has been described as a “miscarriage of bureaucracy” by a local mayor who is now calling for a “special policy zone” for the Straits and the NPA.
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Grounded by international safety regulations for 10 months, Skytrans has been given the green light to touch down at the nation’s shortest commercial airstrip in the Torres Strait.
From Monday, Skytrans will be permitted to land and take off from Mabuiag and Erub islands after Civil Aviation Safety Authority grounded Cessna Caravan flights following the enforcement of international safety standards in October last year.
Towards the tail end of the long running battle, Skytrans loaded planes with water barrels and recorded video of aeroplanes to prove the 10 seat aircraft could achieve take-off distances outlined by the manufacturer under real world conditions.
And on Wednesday Skytrans chief executive officer Alan Milne announced the regulator had granted an exemption to a Civil Aviation Order that controlled operations at short airstrips.
“It’s one thing following the rule book figures but the (test) flights demonstrated the aeroplane proved itself in accordance with data,” he said.
“The regulation that aligns us with the rest of the world has to be the outcome but it has been a difficult process and we have to be in a position to react to that.”
In June the Cairns Post launched a Rally for Runways campaign pushing for the resumption of services.
For eight months the people of remote Torres Strait Islands had no other choice but to take to the high seas in dinghies due to lack of a ferry service and the prohibitive cost of alternative air travel.
Skytrans only flying as far as Badu Island meant a treacherous 10km crossing for Mabuiag Island residents needing to link in with air services to Thursday Island and Cairns.
Torres Strait Island Regional Phillemon Mosby while celebrating the return of flights called sweeping reform of the way in which the islands and the Northern Peninsula Area of Cape York was managed.
“There’s a valuable lesson in this, before the government wants to change legislation they need to think about the impact on vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the region,” he said.
“This is prime example of miscarriage of bureaucracy, they think they know what’s best.
“That’s why we have pushed for a special policy zone for the Torres Straits and the NPA.
“Accessibility of safe and affordable air transportation is an absolutely critical issue for us and we welcome the service back and thank all state commonwealth (agencies) that have worked with us to reinstate the service.”
CASA has been highly criticised for the handling of a situation that Cr Mosby said was a factor in the death of Wendy Richardson.
Ms Richardson’s body has never been found after the speech pathologist was flipped out of a small boat while crossing from Badu Island to Mabuiag Island on June 8.
An emergency deal struck with Skytans competitor Hinterland Aviation began temporary services to Mabuiag and Erub islands on Monday.
Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said he considered it a poor outcome that communities were left with no reliable and regular transport to attend healthcare and other important appointments.
“I welcome news that CASA and Skytrans have finally managed to produce a solution after many months of negotiations,” he said.
“The emergency services contract will remain in place, I want residents to have the confidence and security of knowing that they will have access to flights”.
Mr Milne said Skytans owners Peter Collings and NRL great Johnathan Thurston were relieved planes could now touch down at Mabuiag and Erub islands but the arduous process and eight months without paying passengers had taken its toll.
“It’s a slim margin up there anyway, because we need to keep the process affordable, it has been a substantial hit on our revenue since October,” he said.
“JT just wanted to make it happen, he and Peter Collings are happy.”
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Originally published as Skytrans gets green light to land at Mabuiag and Erub islands
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