Sharp Airlines apologises to King Island residents over cancelled and delayed flights
In an open letter to King Island residents, an airline has apologised after a number of delayed and cancelled flights over the last few weeks. Read more to find out what the airline said in its letter.
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Sharp Airlines has apologised to King Island residents over recent flight delays and cancellations.
In an open letter, Sharp Airlines CEO Alistair Dorward said the company strived to provide “a safe, compliant and reliable service to the residents and travellers to King Island”.
“We understand that the people and businesses on King Island rely on Sharp Airlines and that they quite rightfully expect us to operate on time, as per our published schedule,” Mr Dorward said.
“In recent weeks, for a number of reasons, our on-time performance has at times not met those expectations.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by recent disruptions to our schedule and assure you that we are doing everything possible to improve our on-time performance and that we continue to deliver a dependable and reliable service to the community on King Island.”
King Island Tourism president Adam Hely welcomed the open letter.
“At least they put their hands up and said we are having some issues, apologised for it and are trying to get on top of it,” Mr Hely said.
“And also, they keep all the operators on the island in the loop when they’ve got delays or anything.”
Mr Hely said flight delays and cancellations were a concern for the island.
“It doesn’t do any good in regards to people missing their connecting flights and, at times, having to extend their trip down here,” he said.
“It’s a detriment to the tourism industry, but on the other hand, we are an island in the middle of the Bass Strait, which comes with its complications.”
Mr Hely said he remained supportive of the carrier and the service it provided to the island.
“Sharp Airlines are a friend of the island in regards to the services that they do provide,” he said.
“Post-Covid has created dramas right through all airlines, and we’ve all got to be a bit patient so it gets sorted out.
“But it needs to get sorted, and I believe Sharp will. There are some decent fellas running that.
“It’s a small business with good people that care in it.”
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