1990 Regional Airline Directory

This year we have listed 42 active operators, however it is noticeable that there is a growing gap between the top regional airlines and the others. About 86% of the total passengers carried by regional airlines are flying with less than ten operators. These airlines certainly have some confidence in the future, judging by the number of new generation commuter aircraft they

are importing. 1he recent decision by Australian Airlines to buy a 100% shareholding in Sunstate Airlines and further recognises the available market and also the advantage that the Ansett group of

companies hold in this sector of the industry. Ansett have a dominance in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory with operators like Ansett WA, Ansett NT, Skywest and Kendell. In Victoria, Kendell are again the dominant regional operator though Australian have strengthened their position by

Easternopening services to Launceston and Devenport, Hazelton moving onto the Merimbula to Melbourne route and with the recent purchase of SunstateAirlines (Mildura). Australian Airlines

are better situated in NSW where they own 42% of Eastern Australia Airlines and have a marketing agreement with HazeltonAirlines, who have expanded onto a number of major NSW country

routes. In Queensland, Australian Airlines now own two major regional operators, Sunstate and Australian Regional, while at Brisbane, Ansett are fed by Flight West and Queensland Pacific.

In Australia we have moved a step closer to the US system of a strong association between the major carrier and regional operator. Aircraft of Eastern Australia Airlines and Sunstate now carry Australian Airlines colours while in November Eastern changed some of their Dash 8 flight numbers from UN to TN. In our Directory this year we have identified 42 active operators, which is three down on last year. Eight new airlines appear for the flrst time while eleven have been lost from our previous listing. During the period 1/9/89 thru 31/10/90 the following changes

have taken place: AIR CENTRAL EYRE – terminated operations 7/90 with some routes going to Whyalla Airlines. AIR TRANSIT -name changed to Kangaroo Island Airlines 6/90.

COUNTRYAIR -terminated operations 10/90. CRANE AIRLINES -name changed to Sydney Airlines 7/90. FALCON AIRLINES-name changed to Torres Air 4/90.

FLINDERS ISLAND AIRLINES -terminated operations 5/90 due to financial problems. LLOYD AVIATION – terminated operations 10/90. Single route

transferred to Kendell Airlines. PAR AVION – terminated operations 2/90 after six months as commuter airline.

PICCOLO AVIATION-terminated operations 5/90. SPIRIT AIR -terminated operations 12/89 after only two months’ involvement in commuter flying.

SUNBIRD AIRLINES -terminated operations 10/90 after being absorbed by parent company, Norfolk Airlines. The following appear in our Directory for the first time –

AIR KANGAROO ISLAND -commenced operations 7/90 after name changed from Air Transit. EASTLAND AIR – commenced operations 12/89 over route vacated by SunstateAirlines. KING ISLAND AIRLINES – commenced operations 6/90 PAR AVION -commenced operations 9/89 after involvment in charter flying. SPIRIT AIR -commenced operations 10/89 over routes vacated

as a result of the airline pilots’ dispute. SYDNEY AIRLINES – commenced operations 7/90 after name change from Crane Airlines.

TORRES AIR – commenced operations 7/90 over routes previously flown by Falcon Airlines. WHYALLA AIRLINES -commenced operations 2/90 over route

vacated by North West Airlines in 5/89. This year we have identified 236 aircraft in our Regional Airline fleet, which is the same as last year. What has changed however

is the advance that new generation turbine aircraft are making in the fleet. Turbine powered aircraft now total 92 or 39% of the fleet, which is a rise of 20 fleet units or 9% in total. Turbine deliveries in this period included: Airlines of Tasmania-1 Shorts 360; Aus-Air -1 EMB-11O; EasternAustralia -1 Jetstream 31, 2 DHC-8; Flight West – 1 DHC-8, 2 EMB-120, 2 EMB-110 and 2 DHC-6;

Hazelton -3 Saab 340, 1 Beech 1900C; Kendell-1 Saab 340; Norfolk Airlines -1 DHC-8 and Sunbird -1 EMB-110. The nine seats and under category is still the main force in the Regional

Airlines fleet with 131 aircraft or 55% of the total, though this number is on the decline. The most common types are the Ces 401/402s and 56 PA31s. The Piper aircraft in itself represents 39% of the piston engined commuter fleet with 15 airlines out of the 42 listed operating this very popular aircraft.

Aeropelican Air Services

PO Box 226, Belmont, NSW 2280. (049) 45 0988. Telex A A28092. Fax (049) 45 8824. Airline Code-PO. Route – Newcastle/Belmont to Sydney. Fleet-DHC-6-300 VH-KZN, -KZO, -KZP, -KZQ.

Aeropelican schedule 81 return flights weekly between their home base at Newcastle/Belmont and Sydney. Provisional traffic figures for the 12 months ending 30/6/90 show that Aeropelican carried 80,000 passengers. With a substantial percentage of their passengers being on-carriage traffic, Aeropelican experienced a downturn in numbers as a result of the pilots’ dispute. For a period during the dispute Aeropelican deploye9 their aircraft on a number of other routes, viz Newcastle to Coffs Harbour, Sydney to Wagga, Canberra, Narrabri and Moree.

and Wynyard. Fleet

Air Central Eyre

286 Fullarton Road, Fullarton, SA 5063.

Air Central Eyre ceased commuter operations in July 1990 with their aircraft and some of their routes being taken over by Whyalla Airlines. Air Central Eyre commenced commuter operations in December 1987 over the former Wudinna Air Services routes between Wudinna, Cleve and Adelaide. Air Central Eyre later commenced flying to Kimba while in May 1990 they added Ceduna to their network.

Air Kangaroo Island

Commuter Building, Adelaide Airport, SA 5024. (08) 234 4177. Fax (08) 234 4139. Airline Code – UV. Routes – Air Kangaroo Island operate flights from Adelaide to four centres on Kangaroo Island – American River, Kingscote, Parndana and Penneshaw. Fleet DHC-6-200 VH-ATK; Beech Tri-Gear 18 VH-ATX; Cessna 4028 VH-ATI, -ATY.

Air Kangaroo Island appear in our commuter directory for the first time, being the new trading name for the long established commuter operator Air Transit. Air Kangaroo Island operated its first flight on 1/7/90. The Adelaide to Kangaroo Island route provides competition for commuter operators Albatross and Kendell. Air Kangaroo Island are the only operator to offer services to four destinations on the island and their present schedules show 27 return flights weekly. Beech TriGear 18 VH-PDI, which was previously used by Air Transit for charter work, was added to the commuter fleet in 11/89. At the same time the registration of the Beechcraft was changed from VH-PDI to VH-ATX.

Air North International

PO Box 39548, Winnellie, NT 5789. (089) 81 7188. Fax (089) 41 1373. Airline Code-HS. Routes-Air North International operate a network of services from their Darwin and Katherine bases to the following ports – Bathurst Island (Nguiu), Borroloola, Cairns, Elcho Island (Galiwinku), Garden Point (Pularumpi), Gove (Nhulunbuy), Groote Eylandt, Hooker Creek (Lajamanu), Jabiru, Kalkgurung (Dagaragu) Lake Evelia (Gapuwiyak), Ngukurr, Numbulwar, Oenpelli (Gunbalunyah) Ramingining and Snake Bay (Milikapiti). Fleet-Douglas DC-3 VH-MMA’. Cessna 441 VH-AZB, -AZY; Cessna 404 VH-ANM, -ANV, -ANY, -Azu:

Cessna 402C VH-ANO, -TFD, -UCE, -UCL, -UPB; Cessna 310R VH-NT M, -SGL, -TFP.

Darwin based trading company The Henry Walker Group Ltd, who are the owners of Air North International, sold a 40% share of the airline to the Japanese investment company Iwashita in March.

As a direct result of the pilots’ dispute, Air North became a Friendship operator between 10/89 and 5/90. The aircraft concerned were Australian Airlines F27-600QCs VH-TQS and VH-TQT, which were grounded in Cairns at the start of the dispute in August. Air North initially took over the operation of VH-TQS from 30/10/89, with the aircraft being used on routes connecting Darwin, Gove, Cairns, Mt Isa, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock. On 12/12/89 VH-TOT entered service with Air North on routes out of Cairns to Bamaga, Thursday Island and Weipa. The two Friendships continued in operation with Air North until 22/5/90, when they again became part of the Australian Regional Airlines fleet.

In 6/90 Air North introduced a new route to their network connecting Kakadu with the Great Barrier Reef. This twice weekly service, which was operated by the Cessna 441, flew from Darwin to Jabiru, Groote Eylandt and Cairns. From late 10/90 the routing was changed to Katherine, Groote Eylandt, Cairns.

Fleet movements in this period saw the return of Cessna 404 VH-ANY after its lease to Countryair. Cessna 421C VH-ANH, Cessna 402C VH-AZO and Cessna 310R VH-ANW were all retired to Adelaide for sale. Cessna 310R VH-NTM was an addition to the fleet while Cessna 421C VH-WGS is used for charter work. Air North also operate Cessna 210s VH-ANS, -HZL, -LT B, -TFE, -TFF, -TFI and -TFN on station mail and charter flights.

Air North are presently carrying about 40,000 passengers in a twelve month period.

Air Transit

Commuter Building, Adelaide Airport, SA 5024.

Air Transit changed their trading name to Air Kangaroo Island from July 1st.

Airlines of Tasmania

PO Box 1126, Evandale, Tas 7212. (003) 91 8422. Fax (003) 91 8688.

Airline Code-IP. Routes- Airlines of Tasmania operate a network of

services which connect the following ports: Devonport, Flinders

Island, Hobart, King Island, Launceston, Melbourne/Essendon,

Queenstown, Smithton, Strahan and Wynyard. Fleet – Shorts 360 VH-TAO; MB-110P1 VH-WPI; DH114 Heron VH-CLV, -CLX, -K AM; PA31-350 VH-PFS, -TAS; PA31-310 VH-CFE.

Airlines of Tasmania implemented direct flights on the Launceston to Melbourne/Essendon route as a result of demand created by the pilots’ dispute. Using their Bandeirante VH-WPI, 12 return flights a week were scheduled between the two ports. With the competition provided by Par Avian and their Mohawk 298s, Airlines of Tasmania purchased a Shorts 360 _ in the United States and introduced it into service in early 3/90, With the delivery of the Shorts 360 VH-TAO came a new colour scheme for Airlines of Tasmania. Present schedules show the Shorts 360 operating 12 return services weekly between Launceston and Essendon.

Heron VH-CLZ was withdrawn from service and now sits derelict at Launceston Airport. PA31-310 VH-CFE, which was previously operated by Par Avian, was added to the fleet in 5/90. In October 1986 Airlines of Tasmania were awarded a contract to supply aircraft and pilots for the Tasmanian Division of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Used to service this contract was PA31P-350 VH-XGW and PA31-350 VH-NPC. In 12/89 VH-NPC was moved to airline operations and replaced in RFDS service by newly delivered PA31-350 VH-TAR.

Provisional traffic figures for the twelve months ending 30/6/90 show that Airlines of Tasmania carried 60,000 passengers.

Albatross Airlines

6 Todd Street, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, SA 5223. (0848) 22296.

Route-Kingscote to Adelaide. Fleet- PA31-350 VH-RUH; PA23-250

VH-BKJ, -MCI. Albatross Airlines added PA31-350 VH-RUH to their

fleet in 6/90.

Aquatic Air

Barrenjoey Boathouse, Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach, NSW 2108. (02) 974 5966. Fax (02) 974 5534. Airline Code-VZ. Routes – Rose Bay to Palm Beach; Rose Bay to Newcastle/Port Hunter. FleetDHC-2 Beaver Floatplane VH-AOA, -AQU, -AQV.

Aquatic Air are presently scheduling six flights daily (Mon-Fri) on the route from Rose Bay to Port Hunter. Beaver VH-IDN was purchased from Seair Pacific during the year, with the aircraft being re-registered VH-AOU. GAF N-22B amphibian VH-BRO was retired from service with the aircraft presently being parked at Bankstown.

Arnhemair Charter

PO Box 39431, Winellie, N T 5789. (089) 84 4322. Fax (089) 47 1198. Routes- From their Darwin base, Arnhem Air Charter operate flights to Croker Island, Goulburn Island, Maningrida and Milingimbi. Fleet – PA31-350 VH-IXP, -JNX; PA31-310 VH-JWH, -SAO; P-68B.

Arnhem Air Charter added PA31-350 VH-JNX to their fleet in September 1989. During the year their PA31 aircraft were given individual names as follows – VH-IXP ‘Milingimbi’, -JNX ‘Maningrida’, -JWH ‘Goulburn Island’ and -SAO ‘Croker Island’.

Augusta Airways

Adelaide Airport, SA 5000. (08) 234 3000. Fax (08) 234 1864. Airline Code- BH. Routes-Port Augusta to Adelaide; Leigh Creek to Adelaide; Port Augusta/Leigh Creek/lnnamincka/Birdsville/Boulia/Mt Isa. Fleet- PA31-350 VH0AZJ, -NPD; Cessna 4218 VH-AAI; Cessna 402A VH-AWS; Commander 500S VH-ACZ.

Augusta Airways schedule 12 return services weekly on the Port Augusta to Adelaide route. PA31-350 VH-OYY was purchased in 3/90 and entered service in 5/90 after being re-registered VH-AZJ.

AUS-AIR

Northern Avenue, Moorabbin Airport Vic 3194. (03) 580 6166. Telex AA37553. Fax (03) 580 8955. Airline Code – NO. Routes – Aus-Air operate services from their Melbourne/Moorabbin base to Burnie/ Wynyard, Devonport, Flinders Island, King Island, Launceston and Smithton. Fleet-EMB-110P1 VH-OZG; EMB-110P VH-OZF; PA31-350 VH-BKE, -MBT, -OZM, -OZP, -OZV; PA31-310 VH-MBY, -RTO.

Aus-Air continue to develop their network from their Moorabbin base. The pilots’ dispute resulted in a greater awareness of Aus-Air and the schedules they were offering. Aus-Air commenced flying Moorabbin/Launceston in 6/89 with two flights weekly. Their latest timetable; effective 10/90, now shows 17 return services weekly on the route. Moorabbin to Devonport has expanded to 21 services weekly while Burnie/Wynyard have 12 weekly return flights.

EMB-110P2 G-EIIO was delivered to Moorabbin on 21/1/90 and later entered service as VH-OZF. Aus-Air’s other Bandeirante, VH-CRG, was christened ‘City of Moorabbin’ at Moorabbin on 14/2/90 and the following May was re-registered VH-OZG. Former Flinders Island PA31-350 VH-BKE was added to the fleet during the year. PA31-350 VH-HRL which carries small Aus-Air titles was chartered on occasion during the year. PA31-350 VH-MBP was re-registered VH-OZP in 5/90 while PA31-350 VH-TYV became VH-OZV in 7/90. It is expected the PA31-350 VH-MBT will eventually become VH-OZT.

Provisional traffic figures for Aus-Air show them carrying 35,000 passengers in a twelve month period.

Australian Regional Airlines

PO Box 241, Garbutt, Qld 4814. (077) 25 2255. Fax (077) 25 1825. Airline Code – TN. Routes – Australian Regional Airlines operate to the following ports: Bamaga, Brampton Island, Cairns, Dunk Island, Great Keppel Island, Lizard Island, Mackay, Rockhampton, Shute Harbour, Thursday Island, Townsville and Weipa. Fleet- F27-600QC VH-TQS, -TQT; DHC-6-300 VH-TGC, -TGF, -TGG, -TGH, -TGI.

Australian Regional Airlines (Old) P/L, commenced operations in 5/88 over the DHC-6 Twin Otter routes previously flown by AirQueensland. On 22/5/90 Australian Regional added routes out of Cairns to Bamaga, Thursday Island and Weipa to their network. Previously operated by Australian Airlines using F27-600QCs VH-TQS and VH-TQT, they were suspended in 8/89 at the commencement of the pilots’ dispute and in the interim were flown by Spirit Air and Air North. DHC-6-300 VH-TGC was leased to Vanair of Pt Vila, Vanuatu from late 10/89 till early 3/90. From 28/10/90 Australian Regional ceased flying into Proserpine with flights being scheduled through the Shute Harbour airstrip.

Countryair

PO Box 1531, Rockhampton, OLD 4700.

Countryair ceased regional airline operations on 16/10/90 due to financial problems. Owned by the Thompson Aviation Group t/a Countryair, this long-established Rockhampton-based charter operator commenced commuter operations on 11/8/89. Initial routes flown were from Rockhampton to the central Queensland coalfield towns of Dysart, Middlemount and Moranbah. The pilots’ dispute saw Countryair operating several return services daily on the Rockhampton to Brisbane route using their EMB-110P2 VH-MWX. The Bandeirante being sold to Sunbird Airlines on 18/9/89 though Countryair continued to operate from Rockhampton to Brisbane using Cessna 404 or Beech Baron equipment. On 12/7/90 Countryair took over the Brisbane, Coolangatta, Lismore, Armidale to Tamworth route from Eastern Australia. With commencement of services the Eastern Cessna 404 VH-TMX was added to the Countryair fleet.

Crane Airlines

66/77 Cook Road, Centennial Park, NSW 2021. Crane Airlines, who were a division of Aerospace Industries, ceased operations 5/7/90 with the name being changed the following day to Sydney Airlines.

Eastern Australia Airlines

PO Box 538, Mascot, NSW 2020. (02) 693 1000. Telex AA22139. Fax (02) 693 2715. Airline Code- UN. Routes – Eastern Australia Airlines operate a network of services connecting the following ports: Armidale, Bathurst, Brisbane, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Coolangatta, Cooma, Devonport, Glen Innes, Grafton, lnverell, Kempsey, Launceston, Lismore, Melbourne, Newcastle/Williamtown, Port Macquarie, Sydney, Tamworth and Taree. Fleet – DHC-8-100 VH-TOO, -TOP, -TOO, -TOR; BAe Jetstream 31 VH-TOJ, -TOK, -TOL, -TOM; EMB-110P1 VH-HVS, -WDI; EMB-110P2 VH-WDF.

Eastern Australia Airlines continued to expand their fleet and their network in this period. With the delivery of a fourth Jetstream and their third and fourth DHC-8-100s Eastern added the following new ports to their route -structure: Sydney to Cooma from 10/89; Canberra to Melbourne from 3/90; Melbourne to Launceston from 5/90; and Melbourne to Devon port from 7/90. Eastern Australia retired their last two Cessna 404s in 7/90 and at the same time withdrew from the Tamworth, Armidale, Lismore, Coolangatta to Brisbane route.

The pilots’ dispute led to a downturn in traffic for Eastern, however it did lead them to start operations between Sydney and Canberra. Present schedules show that Eastern are operating 26 return services weekly on the route and are likely to expand that to new non stop destinations in the months ahead.

Eastern took delivery of their third DHC-8-100, VH-TQQ, at Sydney on 11/4, while their fourth aircraft, VH-TQR, followed on 5/5. Jetstream Super 31 VH-TQM was delivered to Tamworth on 11/2. With the delivery and entry into service of VH-TQM Eastern terminated the lease on Jetstream 31 VH-LJR. T his ex Netherlines Jetstream was delivered to Eastern on 8/9/89 and was handed back to British Aerospace in Canberra on 4/6/90. Cessna 404 VH-DLF was sold to Sunstate in 7/90 while the same month Cessna 404 VH-T MX went to Countryair.

Eastland Air

PO Box 457, Toowoomba, Old 4350. (076) 34 6850. Fax (076) 34 2431. Airline Code – ES. Route – Toowoomba to Brisbane. Fleet- Cessna 310R VH-BWQ.

Eastland Air are a new operator on our listing, having commenced commuter operations on 4/12/89 from Toowoomba to Brisbane. A division of Toowoomba-based Eastland Air Charter, they are presently operating twelve return services a week as the designated Australian Airlines carrier on the route. Eastland Air suffered a fatal crash on 9/10/90 when Cessna 310R VH-BKR operating ES421 from Toowoomba to Brisbane crashed at Toowoomba killing the pilot and the two passengers on board.

Eyre Commuter

PO Box 16, Cummins, SA 5631. (086) 86 2329. Routes – Cummins/ Tumby Bay/Adelaide; Adelaide/Port Lincoln/Cummins. Fleet – Cessna 402B VH-FFJ; PA34-200T VH-KAE, -MRY

Falcon Airlines

PO Box 41, Stratford, Qld 4870.

Falcon Airlines commenced flying as a commuter airline in 11/87. Operations were concentrated in the Torres Strait Islands with a connection south to Cairns. After a change of ownership Falcon Airlines ceased operations in 6/90 with the framework of the company being used in the formation of Torres Air.

Flight West Airlines

PO Box 1169, Eagle Farm, Qld 4009. (07) 860 4380. Fax (07) 860 4018. Airline Code- YC. Routes – Flight West operate a network of services from their Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville bases to the following ports: Arukun, Barcaldine, Birdsville, Blackall, Burketown, Charleville, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Coen, Cooktown, Doomadgee Mission, Edward River, Gladstone, Groote Eylandt, Hughenden, Julia Creek, Karumba, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Longreach, Mackay, Mornington Island, Mt Isa, Normanton, Ouilpie, Richmond, Rockhampton, Roma, St George, Windorah and Winton. Fleet- DHC-8-100 VH-XFT; DHC-6-300 VH-XFC, -XFE; EMB-120 VH-XFV, -XFW; EMB-110P1

VH-XFD, -XFH, -XTL; King Air 200 VH-SKC, -SKN, -XDB, -XFB, -XRF, ·-XRP.

Flight West have continued their policy of rapid expansion and fleet modernisation since commencing commuter operations in 5/87. A sister company of New Guinea based Talair, they have benefitted by adding a number of Talair aircraft to their fleet.

For Flight West the highlight of this period was the delivery and entry into service of the first EMB-120 Brasilia on the Australian register. VH-XFW arrived in Brisbane on 30/5/90 and entered service on 10/6/90. Named ‘Nat Buchanan’, VH-XFW is used on the routes Brisbane to Mt Isa, Brisbane, Longreach, Mt Isa, and from Mt Isa to Townsville. With the delivery of the first Brasilia, Flight West opened a new hangar and administration complex at Brisbane Airport. Flight West’s second Brasilia, VH-XFV, was delivered to Brisbane in early 11/90. Two further aircraft of this type are on order for delivery in 3/91 and 8/91.

Flight West took delivery of DHC-8-100 P2-GVA at Brisbane in 6/90. Previously operated by Talair, the Dash 8 entered service with Flight West as VH-XFT on 26/8/90. The Dash 8 opens up a new coastal route for Flight West with VH-XFT operating a daily service Brisbane/ Gladstone/Rockhampton/Mackay/Townsville/Cairns and return. DHC-6-300 N205CA was delivered to Brisbane on 26/7/89. Later registered VH-XFC, the Twin Otter commenced charter and commuter operations out of Cairns. The Cairns based Twin Otfer<was required to service a new charter contract to the Chillagoe mine ahd until VH-XFC was delivered, Flight West made use of Whitaker Air Service DHC-6-100 VH-TZL. Air Melanesia DHC-6-300 YJ-RV9 was delivered to Brisbane in early 11/89 and it was registered VH-XFE before commencing flying for Flight West out of Cairns.

Flight West also added two more EMB-110P1s to their fleet in this period. YJ-RV6 of Air Melanesia arrived in Brisbane on 22/9/89 and was registered VH-XFD, while Talair P2-RDP arrived in the country in 5/90 and later entered service as VH-XFH. Flight West also operate the Flying Surgeon service and in support of this Baron 58 VH-PRH is based in Longreach while Baron 58 VH-HFI operates out of Roma. Another Baron 58, VH-XGF, is based in Roma but with the Flying Obstetrician.

Flight West added BN-2A VH-XFF to their Mt Isa based charter fleet in 12/89. P reviously operated by Talair as P2-ISP, the Islander is presently hangared at Brisbane awaiting sale. Cessna 402C VH-LKC joined Baron 58 VH-EGE on charter work out of Cairns. In Brisbane, Baron E55 VH-XSM is used on charter operations, while hangared at Brisbane awaiting sale are Baron D55 VH-ENC, Baron E55 VH-XFA and Baron E55 P2-GKX.

Flinders Island Airlines

Hangar 8, Third Street, Moorabbin Airport, Mentone, Vic 3194.

Flinders Island Airlines ceased operations on 25/5/90 due to financial problems. At the time of their demise Flinders Island were operating services to ten ports in Victoria, Tasmania and NSW from their bases at Melbourne’s Moorabbin and Tullamarine airports. In 1/90 Flinders Island commenced operations from Tullamarine to Burnie/ Wynyard and Devonport.

Flinders Island commenced charter operations in 1946 while in 1959 they commenced a long term contract to distribute the Melbourne Herald to Victorian country centres. Regional airline services commenced in 11/86. Flinders Island Airlines operated a fleet of nine PA31s, and of these five are still static at Moorabbin viz PA31-310 VH-AWW and-SOW, and PA31-350 VH-MCX, -RNG and-WGF. PA31-350 VH-TMN was sold to an Adelaide based charter company while PA31-350s VH-KGN, -PWA and -WGI are flying with King Island Airlines.

Goldfields Air Services

PO Box 435, Kalgoorlie, WA 6430. (090) 93 2116. Fax (090) 93 1979. Airline Code – LK. Routes – Goldfields operate services from their Kalgoorlie base to the following ports: Esperance, Laverton, Leinster, Leonora and Norseman. Fleet- Cessna 402C VH-LAE; Cessna 4028 VH-MFF; Cessna 310R VH-LCO; Cessna 310Q VH-FYZ.

Goldfields Air Services commenced regional airline operations in 5/82 with flights from Kalgoorlie to Laverton and Leonora.

Hazelton Airlines

P O Box 12, Cudal, NSW 2864. (063) 64 2104. Fax (063) 64 2294. Airline Code- ZL. Routes- Hazelton Airlines operate a network of services connecting the following ports: Albury, Bourke, Brewarrina, Brisbane, Broken Hill, Cobar, Canberra, Coolangatta, Condoblin, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Cootamundra, Cowra, Cudal, Dubbo, Forbes, Griffith, Gunnedah, Lightning Ridge, Melbourne, Merimbula, Moruya, Mudgee, Narrandera, Nyngan, Orange, Parkes, Quirindi, Sydney, Temora, Walgett, West Wyalong and Young. Fleet – Saab 3408 VH-OLM, -OLN; Saab 340A VH-OLG; Shorts 360-300 VH-MJH, -MJU; Beech 1900C VH-JHP; EMB-110P 1 VH-WPE; PA31-350 VH-CJQ, -OMV, -DVG, -DVR, -MWP, -MYQ, -MZF, -MZI, -MZK, -MZM -MZV, -MZX, -T WB.

A year of considerable expansion for Hazelton Airlines as they added several new routes to their network. In 10/89 their Sydney/Moruya service was extended through to Melbourne via Merimbula. The former Ansett NSW routes of Sydney to Griffith and Narrandera were transferred to Hazelton in late 4/90 while the following month Hazelton commenced operations from Sydney to Albury and from Sydney to Broken HIii via Dubbo.

With the acquisition of these routes Hazelton placed an order for two Saab 3408s with options on a further two and also options on two Saab 2000s. Until delivery of the 3408s Hazelton leased two Saab 340As. Delivery details of the Saab aircraft are as follows: 340A VH-OLG arrived Cudal 14/4 as N343AM; 340A VH-OLH arrived Cudal 23/5 as N69LP. Hazelton Airlines operated their first Saab flight on 30/4 when VH-OLG departed Sydney as ZL201 for Narrandera and Griffith. Saab 3408 VH-OLM arrived Sydney 29/9 as SE-GOS while 3408 VH-OLN flew into Darwin on 11/10 as SE-GO?. T his aircraft was then used by Saab for a demonstration tour of Australia before handover to Hazelton. With the delivery and entry into service of the 3408, Hazelton’s leased 340A VH-OLH departed Cudal in late 10/90 on delivery to Air Nelson. Hazelton Airlines also added Beech 1900C VH-JHP to their fleet during the year. VH-JHP entered service on 12/11/89 when it operated ZL547 from Sydney to Albury.

Kendell Airlines

PO Box 78, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650. (069) 21 5011. Telex AA69066. Fax (069) 21 7071. Airline Code – KD. Routes- Kendell Airlines operate a network of services from their two major hubs, Adelaide and Melbourne. From Adelaide to Broken Hill, Ceduna, Goober Pedy, Kingscote, Mount Gambier, Olympic Dam, Port Lincoln, Streaky Bay, Whyalla, Woomera and Yulara. From Melbourne to Albury, Burnie/ Wynyard, Cooma, Devonport, King Island, Merimbula, Mildura, Mount Gambier, Portland and Wagga. Fleet – Saab 340A VH-EKD, -EKT, -KOi, -KOK, -KDP; Metro II VH-BIF, -BIS, -KOO, -KOR, -WGV, -WGX, -WGY; Merlin IV VH-SWP.

Kendell Airlines added three new ports to their network in this period. With Lloyd Aviation withdrawing from commuter operations, Kendell took over their Adelaide/Kingscote route from 1/10/90. Kendell are using a mix of Saab 340As and Metros on the route. Due to the pilots’ dispute and the decision by Ansett to withdraw from Fokker 50 operations, Kendell commenced services from Melbourne to Burnie/ Wynyard in 10/89. The following month Kendell commenced flying on the Melbourne to Devonpor t route. Present schedules show that Kendell are operating 19 return flights weekly on the Burnie/Wynyard route while to Devonport, where they now complement Eastwest, they fly five times weekly (Mon-Fri). Also as a result of the pilots’ dispute Kendell operated Wagga/Sydney for eight weeks.

Kendell Airlines continue to maintain their position as the leading commuter airline in Australia. For the 12 months ending 30/6/90 provisional traffic figures show them carrying 330,000 pax. Of these, 300,000 were carried on scheduled routes while the other 30,000 were additional traffic as a result of the pilots’ dispute. Kendell Airlines is now 100% owned by Ansett parent companies TNT /News Corp. Kendell took delivery of a fifth Saab 340A, VH-EKT, in 3/90 while a sixth of this type is planned for addition to the fleet in 1991.

King Island Airlines

Third Street, Moorabbin Airport, Mentone, Vic 3194. (03) 580 3777. Fax (03) 580 7361. Airline Code – KG. Route – King Island to Melbourne/Moorabbin. Fleet- PA31-350 VH-KGN, -P WA, -WGI.

King Island Airlines appear in our directory for the first time. Formed by two of the principals involved in Flinders Island Airlines, who had ceased operations in 5/90, King Island Airlines commenced operations from King Island to Moorabbin in 6/90.

Lincoln Airlines

P O Box 387, Port Lincoln, SA 5606. (086) 82 5688. Fax (086) 82 6052. Airline Code – IW. Route – Port Lincoln to Adelaide. Fleet- PA31-350 VH-IJE, -LNA; Cessna 4028 VH-MAX.

Lincoln Airlines commenced commuter airline operations in 9/87 between Port Lincoln and Adelaide. Using a PA31-350 they initially scheduled 12 return flights weekly on the route, however this has since risen to 28 on their current schedule. Cessna 4028 VH-MAX was added to the Lincoln Airlines fleet in 10/89.

Lloyd Aviation

101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, SA 5000.

Lloyd Aviation ceased commuter flying on 30/9/90 when their Shorts 330 VH-LSI arrived in Adelaide from Kingscote.

Lloyd Aviation were part of the Lloyd Aviation Graup who themselves were owned by the Ansett affiliate company Sodas P /L. Involved in charter operations since its founding in 1969, Lloyd Aviation moved into the commuter airline scene in 11/85 with services based on their home base of Adelaide. In 9/89 operations to Olympic Dam and Whyalla were terminated, thus leaving the Adelaide to Kingscote route as Lloyds’ sole commuter run. In 12/89 Shorts 330 VH-LSI was imported by Lloyds for use by their airline division.

During 1990 the Lloyd Aviation Group lost two major contracts, which resulted in the decision to close down the company and merge it with it with another Ansett affiliate company, Skywest Aviation. Disposal of the Lloyd Aviation Group aircraft was as follows- To Skywest Aviation: DHC-8-100 VH-LAR; EMB-110 VH-LSE, -MWV,-PGS,-WBI, P2-NAL; King Air B200C VH-AKV, -KZL,-NSR; Cessna 550 VH-IJK, -WGJ; Cessna 402C VH-UCI. F28-4000 VH-LAR went to Eastwest Airlines; Westwind VH-JP W to Pel-Air Aviation; Learjet 35A VH-LGH to N678S; Learjet 35 VH-SLJ to Fleet Support. Stored awaiting sale are Casa 212 VH-ICJ, Learjet 35A VH-HOF, Learjet 36 VH-8I8, Cessna 402C VH-OAS and Cessna U206G VH-AHX.

Macknight Airlines

PO Box 356, Deniliquin, NSW 2710. (058) 81 2504. Fax (058) 81 3115. Airline Code- MT. Route – Deniliquin to Hay and Griffith. Fleet- Commander SOOS VH-MAV; PA60-600A VH-MVY; PA30 VH-EDG, -HHE.

From its inception in 7/70 Macknight Airlines has acted as a feeder carrier. Macknight schedules were knitted to those of Ansett NSW to provide a feeder service from Deniliquin and Hay through Wagga to Sydney. With the advent of the pilots’ dispute and consequential disruption to the Ansett NSW service from Wagga to Sydney, Macknight themselves commenced flying on the route three times daily with their Commander SOOS. Later they provided a service from Griffith and Narranderra to Sydney. With normal services being resumed by Ansett NSW through Wagga came a change in schedule which resulted in Macknight moving their feed to Hazelton Airlines. From 30/4/90 Macknight commenced a twice daily (Mon-Fri) service on the route Deniliquin, Hay to Griffith where there is a connection to the Hazelton flight to Sydney.

MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship)

PO Box 821, Nhulunbuy, NT 5797. (089) 87 2777. Telex AA84111. Fax (089) 87 2432. Routes- From their base at Gove (Nhulunbuy) MAF operate services to Elcho Island (Galiwinku), Lake Evelia (Gapuwiyak), Milingimbi and Ramingining. Fleet-Cessna 402C VH-AII, -UBB, -UBF. T he MAF commuter operation in Arnhem Land is a small part of MAF Australia, an organisation which operates some 40 aircraft in three countries. MAF took delivery of BN-2A JA5193 at their Ballarat base in 7/89. After overhaul the Islander was delivered to Gove as VH-UBD, however to date it has still to be used on MAF’s airline operations. P68B VH-IY E was moved from Gove to Ballarat where it is now used for pilot training.

Norfolk Airlines

GPO Box 905, Brisbane, Old 4001. (07) 229 0488. Telex AA41421. Fax (07) 860 4084. Airline Code-UG. Routes-Norfolk Airlines operate a network of services connecting the following ports: Brisbane, Coolangatta, Newcastle and Sydney with Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island; Sydney with Narrabri and Moree. Fleet-DHC-8-100 VH-NID; King Air 200 VH-IBD, -IBF.

Norfolk Airlines is the flagship of the Norfolk Airlines Group of companies. Other commuter operators coming under the Norfolk banner are Queensland Pacific and Sunbird. DHC-8-100 VH-NID was delivered to the group on 25/9/89. Initially the aircraft flew with Sunbird Airlines on routes out of Cairns. VH-NID entered service with Norfolk in late 12/89 on the Sydney to Norfolk Island route. When Norfolk Airlines were awarded the Sydney, Narrabri, Moree route, the Dash 8 took over from Ansett NSW on 16/1/90.

O’Connor Airlines

PO Box 21, Mount Gambier, SA 5290. (087) 25 6666. Fax (087) 25 8003. Airline Code-OL. Routes-Mount Gambier/Adelaide; Mount Gambier/Melbourne. Fleet-Cessna 441 VH-KDN, -OAA.

O’Connor Airlines operate 14 return services weekly on their two routes from Mount Gambier to Adelaide and Mount Gambier to Melbourne. O’Connor flights at Adelaide and Melbourne are handled by Australian Airlines. During the pilots’ dispute O’Connor operated their Cessna 441s from Adelaide direct to Melbourne.

ORD Air Charter

PO Box 73, Wyndham, WA 6740. (091) 61 1335. Airline Code- YO. Routes – Ord Air Charter operate a network of services to the following ports: Baigo Hills, Billuna, Birrindudu, Carson River, Derby, Doongan, Drysdale River, Flora Valley, Fitzroy Crossing, Gordon Downs, Halls Creek, lnverway, Kalumburu Mission, Karunjie, Kirkimbie, Kununurra, Lake Gregory, Limbunya, Margaret River, Mitchell Plateau, Nelson Springs, Nicholson, Ord River, Waterloo and Wyndham. FleetCessna 402C VH-OAD; Baron 58 VH-AYV, -BBP, -MNH; Cessna U206F VH-IRY; Cessna U206G VH-BBU, -SHZ, -STX. Also operated is Islander VH-IOA on general charter work.

Oxley Airlines

PO Box 741, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444. (065) 83 1955. Telex AA63138. Fax (065) 83 1097. Airline Code-VQ. Routes-Oxley Airlines operate services to the following ports from their Port Macquarie base: Armidale, Ballina, Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, Coolangatta, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, Melbourne/Essendon, Newcastle,Norfolk Island, Tamworth and Taree. Fleet – King Air 200 VH-LRK; PA31-350 VH-LHD, -LHG, -LHH, -LHL, -RUI, -STO, -WGG.

Oxley Airlines added a number of new ports to their network in this period. Newcastle came on line with the extension of the Port Macquarie to Taree coastal route. Newcastle was also connected to Melbourne/Essendon with a daily service using the King Air 200. Another new route was opened from Newcastle through Tamworth and Armidale to Lismore. Finally, Norfolk Island was connected to Lord Howe Island with a once weekly service.

Par Avion

PO Box 100, Lindisfarne, Tas 7015.

Par Avion commenced operations in 1983, being involved in charter, scenic and flight training. In 9/89 they commenced commuter operations between Launceston and Lady Barron Airport on Flinders Island. As a direct result of the pilots’ dispute Par Avion moved onto the Launceston to Melbourne/Essendon route from 5/11/89. Aircraft used were Mohawk 298s leased from Queensland Pacific Airlines. lnitially 10 return flights weekly were scheduled on the route, however on 15/12/89 this was increased to 23. At the same time Devenport came online with seven return flights weekly from Melbourne/Essendon. Though Par Avion flights appeared to be loading well on 9/2/90 they ceased operations due to financial problems. While in service with Par Avion the Mohawk 298s VH-HEI, -HIX and -HKS retained their Queensland Pacific titles and colours.

Phillip Island Air Services

Thompson Avenue, Cowes, 3922. (059) 56 7316. Fax (059) 56 7172. Route-Phillip Island to Burnie/Wynyard. Fleet-Cessna 402 VH-BPZ. Phillip Island Air Services operate from Cowes to Burnie/Wynyard with up to four flights weekly being scheduled during the summer.

Piccolo Aviation

PO Box 360, Gladstone, Old 4680. (079) 78 1888. Fax (079) 78 1133. Airline Code-NP.

Piccolo Aviation commenced commuter operations in May 1986 flying from Rockhampton to the central Queensland coalfield ports of Clermont, Dysart, Emerald, Middlemount and Moranbah. During the pilots’ dispute a three times daily service was operated between Rockhampton and Brisbane.

In May, Piccolo terminated commuter operations, however the recent collapse of their main competitor Countryair may see Piccolo resume services between Rockhampton and the central Queensland coalfield ports. Aircraft used by Piccolo on their commuter operations were Baron 58 VR-FDC and P68Bs VH-FSH, -PNQ, -PNU.

Promair

PO Box 3, Welshpool, Vic 3966. (056) 88 1487. Telex AAl54564. Fax (056) 88 1520. Airline Code-FB. Routes – Promair operate a network of services connecting their home base of Welshpool with Flinders Island, Launceston, Latrobe Valley and Melbourne/Moorabbin. Fleet – PA31-350 VH-RKD; PA31-310 VH-BRL, -EYF, -RRM.

Promair introduced a new timetable in 3/90 which saw five new ports added to their network. These were Geelong/Grovedale with a three times weekly service to Launceston; Melbourne/Tullamarine with services to Bairnsdale, Sale and Welshpool; and from Merimbula, Bairnsdale and Sale with connections through Latrobe Valley to Launceston. Present schedules show that Promair have once again confined their operations to Flinders Island, Latrobe Valley, Launceston, Melbourne/Moorabbin and Welshpool.

Queensland Pacific Airlines

PO Box 5, Brisbane Airport, Old 4007. (07) 854 2366. Fax (07) 860 4565. Airline Code- QJ. Routes- Queensland Pacific operate services from Brisbane to the following ports: Bundaberg, Coolangatta, Emerald, Gladstone, Newcastle and Rockhampton. Fleet-Mohawk 298 VH-HEI, -HIX, -HKS, -HKT.

Queensland Pacific Airlines, who are part of the Norfolk Group of companies, commenced commuter operations in 12/88. During the period under review there have been a number of changes to Queensland Pacific’s route structure. In 1/90 the coastal service from Brisbane to Townsville was altered so that leased EMB-110P1 VH-MWX operated the Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton to Gladstone sectors. On arrival in Gladstone the Bandeirante met the northbound Mohawk from Brisbane and Bundaberg and there the two aircraft transferred their thru loads. By 4/90 Queensland Pacific operated their coastal service from Brisbane only as far north as Gladstone with Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville being dropped from the network. Flights were also discontinued to Blackwater and T hangool, while Coolangatta and Newcastle came online. During the year Queensland Pacific used Norfolk Pacific King Air 200sVH-NIB and VH-NIC on the Brisbane to Emerald route. Queensland Pacific also leased several of their Mohawk 298s to Par Avion between 11/89 and 02/90.

Qwestair

PO Box 31, Cloverdale, WA 6105. (09) 479 1744. Fax (09) 479 1745. Airline Code-QH. Route-Perth/Telfer. Fleet-Westwind II VH-NGA.

Qwestair, who are a subsidiary of Sydney based Pel-Air took over the Perth/Telfer route from Skywest in 1/89. Presently Qwestair schedule 10 return services weekly on the route using their 10 seat Westwind II.

Rot Tnest Airbus

Fauntleroy Avenue, Perth Airport, WA 6105. (09) 478 1322. Telex AA2772444. Fax (09) 277 4198. Airline Code – WI. Route- Perth to Rottnest Island. Fleet-PBN Islander VH-HPL, -SYU.

Rottnest Airbus are presently scheduling up to five return flights daily on their run between Perth and Rottnest Island.

Sabair Airlines

PO Box 404, Toowoomba, Old 4350. (076) 33 1533. Airline Code-ZG. Route-Toowoomba to Brisbane. Fleet-Cessna 402B VH-ELZ.

Sabair operate 18 return flights weekly on their route from Toowoomba to Brisbane. During the year Cessna T 303 VH-LMS was replaced by Baron 58 VH-HEJ and then it in turn by Cessna 4028 VH-ELZ.

Seair Pacific

PO Box 166, Airlie Beach, Old 4802. (079) 469 133. Fax (079) 469 355. Airline Code-RW. Routes-Airlie Beach/Lindeman Island; Hamilton Island/Lindeman Island; Mackay/Lindeman Island; Proserpine/Lindeman Island. Fleet -PBN Islander VH-ISD; P-68B VH-PNP; DHC-2 Floatplane VH-HQE, -JDX, -SSG.

Seair Pacific had their schedules badly disrupted during the year as a result of the pilots’ dispute. T he following ports were therefore dropped from their network: Cairns, Hayman Island, Hinchinbrook Island, Orpheus Island, Proserpine and Townsville. Fleet numbers were also reduced with Grummam Mallards VH-LAW and -OAW being sold to T he Paspaley Pearling Company in Broome. Beaver VH-HAQ was sold in Canada while Beaver VH-IDN went to Aquatic Air. Seair also operate Lake Buccaneers VH-AWZ and VH-EJY on tourist charter flights from Airlie Beach to the outer Barrier Reef.

Sky-Link Airlines

Adelaide Airport SA 5024. (08) 234 4877. Airline Code-ZY. RoutesAdelaide/Port Lincoln; Adelaide/Whyalla. Fleet – Cessna 402A VH-DZY; Cessna 401 VH-KRY.

Sky-Link Airlines commenced operations in June 1989 from Adelaide to Kingscote, Port Lincoln and Whyalla. During the year Kingscote was dropped from the network. Present schedules show that Sky-Link offer 15 return services weekly to Port Lincoln and four return services weekly to Whyalla.

Skywest Airlines

PO Box 176, Cloverdale, WA 6105. (09) 478 9999. Fax (09) 478 9928. Airline Code-YT. Routes-Skywest operate flights from Perth to the following ports: Albany, Cue, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Laverton, Leinster, Leonora, Meekatharra, Mt Magnet and Wiluna. Skywest also operate flights from Port Hadland to the following ports: Karratha, Marble Bar, Nullagine, Onslow, and Telfer. Fleet – BAe Jetstream 31 VH-ESW, -HSW, -JSW, -OSW; Cessna 402C VH-OAS, -UCI; Cessna 310R VH-DAW, -T RN.

Spirit Air

Sydney based Charter Cruise Air, trading as Spirit Air, found themselves involved in regional airline operations as a direct result of the pilots’ dispute. Charter Cruise Air operate F27-100s VH-JCC and VH-NLS on charter flights around Australia. When Australian Airlines’ F27s VH-TQS and VH-T QT were grounded in Cairns on 24/8/89, Charter Cruise Air trading, as SpiritAir, were granted a temporary license to operate flights out of Cairns to Bamaga, Thursday Island and Weipa. Flights commenced on 4/10/89 using leased East-West F27-500 VH-EWV and airline code IU. Over the following weeks other EastWest F27-500s including VH-EWW and VH-EWX were noted operating for Spirit Air out of Cairns. Australian Airlines F27-600QC VH-TQT was leased from 4/11/89 when it flew from Cairns to Hamilton Island. VH-TQT was initially used by Spirit Air from Sydney to Brisbane and Hamilton Island but it later returned to Cairns based operations. VH-TQT continued in service with Spirit Air till 11/12/89 which was the final day of their scheduled flights out of Cairns. T he following day VH-TQT began flying with Air North International who had taken over the license.

Sunbird Airlines

PO Box 1492, Cairns, Qld 4870. (070) 35 9544. Fax (070) 35 9769. Airline Code-SF. Routes – Sunbird Airlines operate flights from Cairns to the following Gulf country and north Queensland ports: Aurukun, Bamaga, Burketown, Cooktown, Doomadgee Mission, Edward River/ Pormpuraaw, Karumba, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Mornington Island, Mt Isa, Normanton, and to the following islands in Torres Strait: Badu, Boigu, Coconut, Darnley, Dauan, Horn, Kubin, Mabuiag Murray, Saibai, Stephen, St Pauls, Sue, Yam and Yorke. Fleet -EMB-110P1 VH-FCG, -FCK, -KIQ; King Air 200 VH-AAZ; Cessna 421 VH-CSF, -SBJ, -T WH; Cessna 404 VH-SBG, -SBV, -T MU; PBN Islander VH-INB, -INO.

Sunbird Airlines became part of the Norfolk Aviation Group in 4/88, however they continued to operate as a separate entity until 31/10/89. T he following day Sunbird Airlines became part of Norfolk Airlines.

The pilots’ dispute resulted in a number of route and fleet changes for Sunbird Airlines. With the two Cairns based F27s of Australian Airlines being grounded in late 8/89, Sunbird took advantage of introducing the newly delivered DHC-8-100 VH-NID of Norfolk Airlines into service in early 10/89. The Dash 8 operated out of Cairns to Weipa and to T hursday Island until 12/89 when it was withdrawn for operation by Norfolk Airlines. In March, Sunbird opened a base in Mt Isa and commenced operating Cessna 441 aircraft from there to Alice Springs, Cairns and Darwin. In 6/90 Sunbird were forced to withdraw from the Cairns/Weipa and Cairns/T hursday Island routes as Australian Regional had commenced operations the previous month using the two ex Australian F27s. EMB-110P1 VH-MWX of Countryair was delivered to Sunbird in 9/89, however in 7/90 it was flown to Perth for operation by sister company Flightways. EMB-110P1 VH-SBH was delivered to Sunbird in 3/90 and it stayed until 9/90 when °it was leased to Tranzair, New Zealand as ZK-REU. EMB-110P1 VH-KIQ of Country Courier joined the Sunbird fleet during the year and in 10/90 it was the first of the Sunbird aircraft to be painted in Norfolk colours.

Sunbird had a high turnover of units in the Cessna 441 fleet as follows: VH-KDJ was sold in the USA 5/90 as N442WS; VH-T FW returned to Sunbird operations but it was later transferred to Flightways in Perth; VH-NIE and VH-NIF of Norfolk Pacific both joined the Sunbird fleet in the New Year but were later sold as N445WS and N443WS respectively. King Air 200 VH-AAZ of Norfolk Airlines was a fleet replacement for the Cessna 441. T he PBN Islander fleet also experienced a turnover of units, VH-SBD being written off in a crash on Yorke Island in 1/90 while VH-MET and VH-OCH were traded in to Monarch Aviation on two new BN-2B-21s VH-INB, delivered 12/89, and VH-INO delivered 6/90.

Sunstate Airlines

PO Box 256, Hamilton, Qld 4007. (07) 860 4577. Fax (07) 268 1207. Airline Code-OF. Routes-Sunstate operate a network of services from Brisbane to the following ports: Bileola/Thangool, Blackwater, Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Maroochydore, Maryborough, Noosa, Rockhampton and Townsville. Fleet – Shorts 360 VH-BWO, -FCU, -MVW; Shorts 330 VH-HUS, -KNQ, -LSI; EMB-110P1 VH-BWC; DHC-6-300 VH-TNM, -T NS; Cessna 404 VH-DLF.

Australian Airlines, who previously owned 33. 3% of Sunstate Airlines, purchased 100% of the company in 10/90. To reflect the close association between the two companies, Sunstate Airlines painted their fleet in Australian colours during the year – VH-BWC (8/90), VH-BWO (11/89), VH-FCU (12/89) and VH-MVW (2/90).

During the pilots’ dispute Sunstate aircraft were used on a number of non stop sectors on the Queens”land coast, as well as operating south from Brisbane through Coolangatta to Sydney. Toomwoomba was dropped from the network with Eastland Air taking over as the designated Australian Airlines carrier on the route.

Shorts 330 VH-HUS was leased from Skyport in 9/89 and remained in service with Sunstate over the summer months before returning to Adelaide based freight operations. VH-HUS was again leased in 6/90 and remains in service with Sunstate at this time. Pel-Air Aviation Shorts 330 VH-KNO was leased in 3/89. T he Shorts continued in service with Sunstate till 16/10/90 when VH-KNO was returned to its owner. To replace VH-KNO Sunstate have added the Lloyd Aviation Shorts 330VH-LSI to their fleet. VH-LSI arrived in Brisbane on 25/10/90 after being painted in Sunstate colours at Tocumwal.

Sunstate added ex Eastern Australia Airlines Cessna 404VH-DLF to their fleet in 7/90. T hisaircraft is used to provide a direct service on the T hangool to Brisbane route. Sunstate’s two stored GAF N24A Nomads were sold in this period. VH-FCX, which was with Ian Baillie Aircraft Sales at Moorabbin, went to Fiordland Travel in Te Anau in 10/89 while VH-BRP was sold to the Sydney Parachute School at Wilton in 6/90 Subsidiary company of Sunstate Airlines, Whitaker Air use the SE designator when operating their charter flights connecting Bundaberg with Lady Elliot Island. Their present fleet is DHC-6-100 VH-T ZL, DHC-6-200 VH-T ZR, G AF N22B VH-WRT and Islander VH-FCO.

Sunstate Airlines (Mildura)

PO Box 1080, Mildura, Vic 3500. (050) 22 2444. Fax (050) 22 1639. Airline Code – OF. Routes – Mildura/Melbourne; Mildura/Broken Hill; Mildura/Renmark/Adelaide. Fleet- Shorts 360 VH-MVX; Cessna 404 VH-UOP.

Australian Airlines purchased 100% of Sunstate Airlines (Mildura) in 10/90. In March 1989 Sunstate Airlines (Mildura) were awarded a five year contract to operatethe Victorian Air Ambulance service based at Melbourne/Essendon. To service this contract Sunstate assembled a fleet of Cessna 404s VH-ANP, -BPO -L AD, -WZK, -WZL and -WZM. Shorts 360 VH-MVW of Sunstate Airlines was used on the Mildura to Melbourne route in 2/90 while Sunstate Airlines (Mildura) Shorts 360 VH-MVX was laid up for maintenance.

Sydney Airlines

66/77 Cook Road, Centennial Park, NSW 2021. (02) 332 1167. Fax (02) 332 1167. Airline Code- FD. Routes- Sydney to Tumut, Albury, Wangaratta, Melbourne (Essendon). Fleet – PA31-350 VH-LCE, -RDA; PA31-310 VH-JEA; Commander 500S VH-IBY.

Sydney Airlines commenced operations on 6/7/90. Previously known as Crane Airlines, Sydney Airlines added Wangaratta to their network in 8/90 and dropped Nowra and Canberra the following month. From 11/90 Sydney Airlines added Melbourne/Essendon to their schedules allowing them to offer a $99. 00 one way fare on the Melbourne to Sydney route. PA31-310 VH-JEA and PA31-350 VH-RDA were leased by Sydney Airlines late 10/90.

Torres Air

PO Box 325, T hursday Island, Qld 4875. (070) 69 1761. Fax (070) 69 1717. Airline Code – ZE. Routes – From their base on Horn Island Torres Air operate a network of services to the islands in Torres Strait. Fleet- PBN Islander VH-OCH, -TRW; Cessna 402BVH-DT V.

Torres Air are a new operator appearing in our listing for the first time. With the assistance of Challenge Airlines the Torres Strait Islanders set up the operation of Torres Air who commenced flying on 1/7. Torres Air are flying over the routes previously operated by Falcon Airlines and some of the latter airlines’ staff and equipment have been incorporated into the running of Torres Air.

Western Airlines

Domestic Terminal, Perth Airport, WA 6105. (09) 277 4022. Fax (09) 478 2537. Airline Code- MB. Routes- Perth to Southern Cross; Perth to Geraldton, Kalbarri, Useless Loop and Denham (Monkey Mia). Fleet

– PA31-350 VH-T WU; Cessna 340 VH-FAC; Cessna 310R VH-JVO.

Western Airlines commenced operations on 1/5/89 over the former Midstate Airlines routes from Perth to Southern Cross and from Perth to Denham via Geraldton, Kalbarri and Useless Loop.

Western Nsw Airlines

Hangar 219, Forest Hill Airport, Wagga, NSW 2650. (069) 22 7777. Fax (069) 22 7700. Airline Code – FO. Routes – Wagga/Tumut/Canberra; Canberra/Albury; Canberra/Wagga. Fleet – PA31-310 VH-WAL; PA60-600A VH-WMY.

Western NSW Airlines are presently scheduling 68 sectors a week on their commuter services connecting Albury, Canberra, Tumut and Wagga. Night freight services based on Sydney are operated by MU-2Gs VH-WMU and VH-WMW while Western NSW also operate Cessna 310Rs VR-FSR and VH-JOS on bank documentation flights.

Whyalla Airlines

PO Box 209, Whyalla, SA 5600. (086) 45 8922. Fax (086) 45 1951. Airline Code- WA. Routes- Whyalla/Adelaide; Wudinna/Cleve/Adelaide. Fleet- PA31-350 VH-NPB, -XMC; Baron 58 VH-ION.

Whyalla Airlines appear in our directory for the first time. Using a PA31-350 they commenced operations between Whyalla and Adelaide in February. In July, Whyalla Airlines took over from Air Central Eyre on the Wudinna/Cleve/Adelaide route. Present schedules show Whyalla Airlines operating 14 return services weekly from Whyalla to Adelaide and 6 return flights weekly from Wudinna to Cleve and Adelaide.

Yanda Airlines

Private Mailbag 5, Singleton, NSW 2330. (065) 72 3100. Fax (065) 72 2757. Airline Code – ST. Routes – Yanda Airlines operate flights to Sydney from Cessnock, Maitland, Singleton and Scone. Fleet – PA31-350 VH-ATP, -WAD; EMB 820C VH-HVA. Singleton Air Services t/a Yanda Airlines continue to operate flights into Sydney from Scone and from the Hunter Valley towns of Cessnock, Maitland and Singleton