Skytrans

Australian airline

Skytrans

| IATA | ICAO | Call sign

|
|

QN  | SKP  | SKYTRANS
Founded| October 1990
Commenced operations| 1993
1 April 2015 (re-branded)
Operating bases|

* Brisbane
* Cairns
* Horn Island

Fleet size| 13
Destinations| 21
Parent company| Avia Solutions Group
Headquarters| Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Key people|

* Gytis Gumuliauskas (Managing Director)
* Alan Milne (Group CEO)

Founders|

David & Sue Barnard

Website| skytrans.com.au

Skytrans is an Australian airline and air charter business based in Cairns, Rockhampton, and Townsville, in Queensland. The airline operates RPT (Regular Public Transport), charter, and ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) services in Cairns, Horn Island, Brisbane, Rockhampton, and Townsville.

On March 31, 2015, two months after being placed into administration, the company returned to the skies. As of March 2024, the airline is now owned by European based Avia Solutions Group.[1]

## History

[edit]

Skytrans was founded by David and Sue Barnard in October 1990 as a charter airline, and began scheduled flights in 1993.[2] In November 2000, Skytrans merged with AirSwift Aviation, another small regional airline based in Cairns.[3] In June 2001, Skytrans took over services to Cooktown and Karumba from MacAir Airlines.[3] In January 2005, the airline began to operate in competition with QantasLink on the Cairns to Townsville route, operating from its own terminals in both cities.[3]

In December 2006, the airline was acquired from its founders by Australian Aviation Holdings, owner of Queensland Regional Airlines (QRA) and Inland Pacific Air. Skytrans and QRA subsequently merged under the Skytrans Regional brand.[3][4]

Late in 2014, the carrier had sought to reduce costs by cutting its workforce of 200 employees by over half while trimming its fleet of seven Dash 8-100s and three Dash 8-300s.[5]

Skytrans suspended operations with effect from 2 January 2015 when it was placed in voluntary administration. In a statement, Managing Director Simon Wild blamed the worsening Australian dollar currency exchange rate, coupled with a tough operating environment – worsened by the loss of three Queensland regulated regional air routes in late 2014. The end of operations came a day after the carrier marked its 25th anniversary of Queensland services - outback and regional Queensland, the Gulf country, and Cape York services on 2 January 2015.[6][5]

On 31 March 2015, Skytrans returned to the skies under the ownership of Collings Holdings Airlines owned by Peter Collings, who also owns West Wing Aviation, and former Australian Rugby League player, Johnathan Thurston.[7][8]

In January 2024, the world's largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, Avia Solutions Group, announced its intention to acquire ownership of Skytrans,[9] with the acquisition completed in March 2024.[10]

Since the acquisition, Gytis Gumuliauskas, has become Managing Director at Skytrans.[11] Gytis has extensive experience within the aviation industry, covering various positions across both airlines and aviation services companies.[12] Since 2006 he has held managerial positions including Lead Auditor ISAGO, IATA DAQCP, Nominated Post Holder Ground Operations, COO, CEO and Accountable Manager). Gytis' academic background is in aviation mechanics and now specialises in developing and executing business strategies and transformational change.

In April 2024 Avia Solutions announced their plans for Skytrans to operate a fleet of up to 20 aircraft from the Airbus A320 Family for wet leasing operations, with the total number of A320 aircraft dependent on customer demand.[13] Gytis, said that "Passenger operations will be our main area of focus, with cargo being an area we're willing to explore... [by] expanding the fleet with A319 aircraft for passenger and with A321F for cargo transportation."[14]

On 28 October 2024, Qantaslink and Skytrans announced a partnership for the continued operation of Lord Howe Island flights. This would see Qantaslink's three De Haviland Canada Dash 8-200 acquired by Skytrans for them to carry out these operations. These flights will be code-shared by Qantas, with the flights to operate out of Qantas Terminal 3 at Sydney Airport. Skytrans will fully takeover the service on the 26 February 2026 with the license to operate the route until March 2030.[15][16]

## Fleet

[edit]

Skytrans Dash 8-100 at Brisbane Airport

As of October 2024, Skytrans operates the following aircraft:

Aircraft  | In Service  | Orders  | Passengers  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Airbus A319-100 | —  | 1  | 144[17] | Plans to operate up to 20 A320 Family aircraft for wet leasing operations[13]
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan | 6  | —  | 10  |
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 | 5  | —  | 36  |
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 | —  | 3  | 36  | Former Qantaslink Aircraft[15]
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 | 2  | —  | 50  |
Total  | 13  | 4  |

## Destinations

[edit]

Skytrans operates RPT and charter flights throughout the Cape York and Torres Strait regions.[18] Skytrans also provides charter flights out of Brisbane, Rockhampton, and Townsville airports for both the Queensland Gas Company (QGC) and Bravus Mining Resources.[19]

Destinations served from Cairns Airport:

* Kowanyama
* Pormpuraaw
* Townsville
* Aurukun
* Lockhart River
* Horn Island
* Bamaga
* Proserpine
* Rockhampton[20]

Destinations served from Horn Island Airport:

* Cairns
* Lockhart River
* Kubin Village (Moa Island)
* Badu Island
* Mabuiag Island
* Boigu Island
* Saibai Island
* Murray Island
* Darnley Island
* Yam Island
* Coconut Island
* Yorke Island
* Warraber Island

Destinations served from Brisbane Airport:

* Chinchilla
* Miles

Destinations served from Whitsunday Coast:

* Rockhampton
* Townsville (TBC)

Destinations served from Sydney Airport:

* Lord Howe Island (begins 26 Feb 2026)[16]

## Sponsorships

[edit]

Skytrans has delivered multimillion-dollar sponsorships and endorsements to communities in Queensland, donating to more than 250 organisations.[21] Skytrans is a major sponsor of the Cairns Taipans in the Northern Pride Rugby Team in the QRL Queensland Rugby League and has supported various causes such as AFL Kickstart, Choice Business Australia, The Queensland Cancer Council, and Harold's House.

## See also

[edit]

* List of airlines of Australia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Avia Solutions concludes acquisition of Skytrans Australia | Magazine | Business Air News". www.businessairnews.com. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
2. ^ "RAAA| Aviation History". www.raaa.com.au. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
3. ^ a b c d "Skytrans". www.aviationcollection.org. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
4. ^ "Skytrans Regional". Airline History. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
5. ^ a b Drum, Bruce (2 January 2015). "Skytrans of Australia shuts down today". World Airline News.
6. ^ Cairns based Skytrans regional airline closes operations ABC News 3 January 2015
7. ^ Skytrans flies again in far north Queensland Sydney Morning Herald 31 March 2015
8. ^ Jonathon Thurston steps up to help kick start Skytrans airline The Australian 1 April 2015
9. ^ Avia Solutions Group acquires Australian airline SkytransAvia Solutions Group 23 January 2024
10. ^ Skytrans now in foreign hands as Avia completes acquisitionAustralian Aviation 4 March 2024
11. ^ "Avia Solutions Group concluded acquisition of Skytrans Airlines, expanding to 12 AOCs worldwide". www.baltictimes.com. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
12. ^ "Skytrans now in foreign hands as Avia completes acquisition". Australian Aviation. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
13. ^ a b Nelson, Jake (30 April 2024). "Exclusive: First Skytrans A319 to arrive this year for wet leasing". Australian Aviation. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
14. ^ "Avia Solutions Group concluded acquisition of Skytrans Airlines, expanding to 12 AOCs worldwide". AVIATOR. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
15. ^ a b "News". Skytrans. Archived from the original on 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
16. ^ a b "LORD HOWE ISLAND FLIGHTS". Qantas Newsroom. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
17. ^ Nelson, Jake (21 October 2024). "First Skytrans A319 delayed to next month". Australian Aviation. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
18. ^ "Skytrans Route Map".
19. ^ "SKYTRANS SOARS WITH NEW $25 MILLION CONTRACT" (PDF).
20. ^ "Skytrans major expansion in QLD". Skytrans. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
21. ^ "Rex won't match high flying generosity of former rival Skytrans". The Australian. Retrieved 17 October 2015.

## External links

[edit]

Media related to Skytrans Airlines at Wikimedia Commons

* Company website

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