Regional Airline Directory

Link Airways

Ceased RPT flying in April 1994 due to poor loadings.

Majestic Airways

UK owned Brisbane based operator who commenced operations May 1994 over a single route in competition with Sunstate.

Oxley Airlines

Long established regional airline who ceased operations March 1994 after change of name to Impulse Airlines.

Sa Regional Airlines

Commenced RPT services June 1994 over single route vacated by Air Kangaroo Island. Later ceased operations in September 1994 with the re-entry of Air Kangaroo Island.

Seaview Air

Commenced RPT services July 1994 after operating for years on a scheduled charter basis over the same routes. License suspended October 1994 by the CAA after fatal accident.

Uzu Air

Cairns based charter operator who commenced RPT services February 1994 over routes vacated by Air Cairns. This year we have identified 247 aircraft in our regional airline fleet, which is an increase of 14 on last year’s figure. The turbine fleet which now totals 106 units constitutes 43% of the total fleet as it did last year. Of the 44 active operators in our Directory, 18 fly turbine powered aircraft. The number of airlines operating turbine powered aircraft has dropped from 20 in 1992/93.

Air Kangaroo Island

Ceased operations in June 1994 however the airline under new ownership returned to RPT services in September 1994.

Executive Air

A Darwin based charter operator which commenced RPT services in February 1994 in competition with Airnorth (corporate spelling).

Gawne Airlines

A Shepparton based charter operator who commenced RPT services in March 1994 from Shepparton to Melbourne. Flights were discontinued in April 1994 after only 14 days service.

Goldfields Air Services

Ceased RPT flying in June 1994 due to poor loadings however the company is still active in charter operations.

Impulse Airlines

Commenced regional airline services March 1994 with name change from Oxley Airlines, a previous long established regional airline.

Kakadu Air

Northern Territory based charter operator who plan to commence RPT services in November 1994. 82 Australian Aviation December 1994 In the period under review we have identified 14 new turbine aircraft deliveries which compares with 20 in 92/93, nine in 91/92 and 3 in 90/91. The 14 aircraft imported in the period 1993/94 were: Saab 340B two – Hazelton one, Skywest one; EMB-120RT one – Flight West one; Jetstream 41 four – Impulse four; Metro 23 two – Kendell two; Metro III three – Airlines of Tasmania one, Airnorth one, Tamair one; EMB-110 two – Air Kangaroo Island one, Flight West one. Already in prospect for the next twelve months we have a DHC-8-100 for Southern Australia; a DHC-8-100 for Sunstate; a Jetstream 41 for Impulse; an EMB-120 for Flight West; two Beech 1900Ds for Impulse and a Metro III for Tamair. The nine seats and under category is still the main force in regional airline service with 137 aircraft or 55% of the total fleet. As in previous years the most common types remain as the Cessna 402 and Piper PA-31. In total we have identified 29 Cessna 402s and 66 PA-3ls (11 Navajos and 55 Chieftains). These two types total 95 units or 69% of the piston engined aircraft in the regional airline fleet.

Aeropelican Air Services

Airline Code: PO/PEL. PO Box 226, Belmont, 2280. (049) 45 0988. Fax (049) 45 8824. GM: Trevor England. Route: Newcastle/Belmont to Sydney. Fleet: DHC-6-300 VH-KZN, -KZO, -KZP, -KZQ. Aeropelican currently schedules 81 return flights weekly between its home base at Newcastle/Belmont and Sydney. Approximately 47% of the passengers carried by Aeropelican transfer to or from other airlines in Sydney. Aeropelican services operating into Sydney use the Ansett Australia terminal while its flights are hosted in the Ansett reservations system. DHC-6-300 VH-XFE was leased from Flight West Airlines for 16 days in 08/94 to cover charter and maintenance commitments on the Aeropelican fleet. During 07/94 DHC-6-300 VH-KZQ was painted in the now superseded Ansett colour scheme. For the year ending 30/06 Aeropelican carried 94,054 passengers.

Air Cairns

Air Cairns appear in our Directory for the first time having commenced regional airline operations in Nov 93 over a network of routes in the Torres Strait. Due to increased competition from charter operators in the region Air Cairns ceased RPT services in 02/94 and reverted to charter operations. While involved in RPT services Air Cairns operated flights from Horn Island to Badu, Boigu, Coconut, Darnley, Kubin, Mabuiag, Murray, Saibai, Warraber, Yam and Yorke. Aircraft in the fleet at that time were PA31-350 VH-NEH, Cessna 310R VH-BPI, -BZK, PA23-250F VH-BOC, -JEN and -WJQ.

Air Facilities

Airline Code: FZ. PO Box 675, Albury, 2640. (060) 41 1210. 1 800 81 5626. Fax (060) 21 8508. MD: Les Sears. Routes: Albury to Canberra, Canberra to Deniliquin and Hay. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-JCH, -MZI, -MZV. Cessna 310R VH-SKT. Areas Airways t/a Air Facilities commenced regional airline services on the Albury to Canberra route in 11/92. Currently Air Facilities are scheduling 17 return services weekly on the route. On 23/02 Air Facilities commenced a weekly, (Wed) service from Albury to Corowa and Melbourne/Essendon however this flight was discontinued after a short period. On 23/05 Air Facilities commenced a twice daily service (Mon-Fri) between Deniliquin and Canberra and the following month a daily service (Mon-Fri) between Deniliquin and Hay. Air Facilities flights through Canberra are scheduled to provide onward connections to Ansett Australia flights to Sydney and Air Link flights to Orange and Dubbo. In Albury Air Facilities connect with Hazelton flights to and from the Gippsland ports of West Sale and Traralgon. Air Facilities added PA31-350 VH-JCH to its fleet in 08/94.

Air Kangaroo Island

Airline Code: UV. Sir Richard Williams Avenue, Adelaide Airport, SA 5950. (08) 234 4177. Fax (08) 234 4139. Routes: Adelaide to Kingscote. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-TMN. Cessna 402C VH-KEZ, -RGK. Airtransit P/L can trace its involvement in regional airline operations back to 07/74 when as Emu Airways it commenced flying between Adelaide and Parndana on Kangaroo Island. In 1990 the name of the airline was changed to Air Kangaroo Island. At the start of this period under review Air Kangaroo Island was operating DHC-6-200 VH-ATK and Cessna 402Bs VH-ATI and VH-ATY on their flights between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island while Beech Tri Gear 18 VH-ATX was used for charter work. In 02/94 the operations of Air Kangaroo Island but not the aircraft were purchased by OPM Investment Services. In late 03/94 OPM Investments now trading as Air Kangaroo Island placed into service EMB-1lOPl VH-FCG which they had leased from National Jet Systems. Also operated on lease were PA31-350 VH-PWA, Cessna 402B VH-BIZ and Cessna 404’s VH-JOH and VH-TMU. OPM Investment Services t/a Air Kangaroo Island continued operating between Adelaide and Kingscote until early 06/94 when the airline ceased operations – refer SA Regional Airlines for the continuing story. In late 09/94 a joint venture company was set up between Air Charter P/L of Adelaide and Kangaroo Island Sealink to take over the operations of SA Regional Airlines with the new airline again to be called Air Kangaroo Island. The current Air KI presently schedules 28 services a week between Adelaide and Kingscote. At Adelaide its aircraft are handled at the Qantas domestic terminal while its flights are hosted in the Qantas reservations system. Parent company Air Charter operates Cessna 441 VH-OCS, Cessna 402C VH-ROS, Cessna 402B VH-BYN, Cessna 310R VH-ALY, -JVN, -UFS and PA23-250E VH-WGN.

Airlines Of Tasmania

Airline Code: IP/ATM. PO Box 1126, Evandale, Tasmania 7212. (003) 91 8422. Fax (003) 91 8688. MD: Dallas Hay. Routes: Airlines of Tasmania operates a network of services which connects Burnie, Devonport, Flinders Island, Hobart, King Island, Launceston, Melbourne/Essendon, Queenstown, Sale, Strahan and Traralgon. Fleet: Metro III VH-NEL. EMB-ll0Pl VH-WPI. DH-114 Heron VH-CLV, -CLX, -KAM. PA31-350 VH-NPC, -TAS. PA31-310 VH-CFE. Airlines of Tasmania entered into a commercial agreement with Tamair in 10/94 which has resulted in Airlines of Tasmania leasing a Metro III from Tamair. The Metro III VH-NEL arrived in Tamworth 25/10 after completing its ferry flight from the United States. After pre-service maintenance VH-NEL was planned to enter service with Airlines of Tasmania on 07/11. Airlines of Tasmania continues to operate the DH-114 Heron with the three aircraft being the last of type left in scheduled airline service. It is reported however that the aircraft will be withdrawn from service and offered for sale in the first half of 1995. Airlines of Tasmania Shorts 360 VH-TAO was withdrawn from service in 10/94 and returned to its owner in the United States. In 05/94 Airlines of Tasmania extended its Launceston to Flinders Island service to the Gippsland ports of Sale and Traralgon. In 10/86 Airlines of Tasmania was awarded a contract to supply aircraft and pilots for the Tasmanian Division of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. PA31P-350 VH-HFD and VH-XGW are presently used for this service.

Air Link

Airline Code: ZL. PO Box 223, Dubbo, NSW 2830. (068) 84 2435. Fax (068) 82 2846. MD: David Miller. Routes: From their Dubbo base Air Link operates services to Brewarrina, Bourke, Canberra, Coonamble, Lightning Ridge, Nyngan, Orange and Walgett. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-DVR, -DVW, Cessna 310R VH-BWQ, -HSL, -JMP. Air Link, who have been involved in charter operations out of Dubbo since 1971, commenced regional airline operations in 09/91 over routes vacated by Hazelton Airlines. Air Link flights at Dubbo are tailored to feed in and out of Hazelton Airlines flights and to further accentuate their close relationship Air Link uses the Hazelton flight designator of ZL. During the year Air Link added the Dubbo to Orange and Canberra route to its network. In 11/93 Air Link added the former Oxley Airlines PA31-350 VH-LHH to its fleet with the aircraft later being re-registered VH-DVW.

Air Maroochy Airlines

Airline Code: QO. MSl-1102, Sunshine Coast Airport, Mudjimba, Qld 4564. (074) 48 7722, Fax (074) 48 8346. MD: Peter Fogarty. Routes: From Maroochydore Air Maroochy operates services to Brisbane, Bundaberg, Gladstone and Hervey Bay. Fleet: Cessna 402B VH-ATY, Cessna 402A VH-EVF, Partenavia P-68B VH-IYJ. Air Maroochy Airlines commenced regional airline operations in 04/93 with a twice daily service, (Mon-Fri), between Maroochydore and Brisbane. Air Maroochy is a division of the Fogartys Aviation Group who has been operating from the Sunshine Coast Airport since 1982. Air Maroochy expanded its network from 19/04 with a four times weekly service from Maroochydore to Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Gladstone. Former Air Kangaroo Island Cessna 402B VH-ATY was added to the Air Maroochy fleet in 04/94, while PA31-310 VH-JMD was sold during the year.

Airnorth

Airline Code: TL. PO Box 39548, Winnellie, NT 0821. (089) 452 999. Fax (089) 453 559. GM: John Hardy & Roger Leach. Routes: Airnorth operates a network of services throughout the Northern Territory to the following ports – Alice Springs, Bathurst Island (Nguiu), Borroloola, Darwin, Elcho Island (Galiwinku), Garden Point (Pularumpi), Groote Eylandt, Hooker Creek, Kalkarang, Katherine, Kings Canyon, Lake Evelia (Gapuwiyak), MacArthur River Mine, Maningrida, Mount Isa, Ngukuur, Numbulwar, Ramingining, Snake Bay (Milikapiti), Tennent Creek, Victoria River Downs and Yulara. Fleet: Douglas DC-3 VH-MMA. Shorts 330 VH-HUS. Metro III VH-ANW. Metro II VH-ANJ. Cessna 441 VH-EVP. Cessna 404 VH-ANM, -ANY. Cessna 402C VH-AZO, -CAJ, -HUR, -PVU, -RMI, -RMQ, -RUY, -TFM, -TZH, -UCL PA31-350 VH-111, -TAR, -TXD. Airnorth Regional came into being in 04/93 when the owners of Air North International, the Henry Walker Group, sold the airline to Capiteq a joint venture company formed by John Hardy of Hardy Aviation in Darwin and Roger Leach of the Skyport Group in Alice Springs. Originally named Airnorth Regional the new airline encompassed the RPT operations of the former Air North International and the Skyport Group. The name Airnorth was adopted in 08/93 to encompass the operations of Airnorth Regional based in Darwin, Airnorth Katherine and Airnorth Central Australia. The Airnorth fleet consists of aircraft previously operated by Air North International and the Skyport Group. Airnorth added Mount Isa to its route network in 04/94 with a twice weekly extension (Mon & Fri) of its service from Darwin to the MacArthur River Mine. Airnorth took delivery of Metro III VH-ANW in 08/94 with the aircraft being used to operate six return services weekly on the route from Darwin to Katherine, Tennent Creek and Alice Springs. Also delivered to Airnorth in 08/94 was the former Kendell Airlines Metro II VH-WGY, which was later re-registered VH-ANJ, and PA31-350 VH-111. Air North terminated the lease on Cessna 441 VH-AZW in 08/94, while the same month they sold Cessna 404 VH-CBM and Cessna 310R VH-TFP. Associate company Skyport operates the following aircraft in its charter fleet: Baron B55 VH-FTW, -FWX; Cessna 2101 VH-WTX; Cessna 210M VH-ANS, -IDZ, -NOK; Cessna 210N VH-AOT, -HZL, -NQP, -TFE, -TFF, -TFT; Cessna U206G VH-ARS.

Air Swift

Airline Code: KJ/JOA. PO Box 6755, Cairns, Qld 4870. (070) 35 9288. Fax (070) 35 9254. MD: Sid Faithfull. Route: Cairns to Hope Vale. Fleet: Cessna 402C VH-JOC, Cessna 402B VH-JOG, Cessna 310R VH-JOB, -JOF, -JOI. Air Swift is a division of Sea Swift P/L and commenced regional airline operations in 03/92 from Cairns to Hope Vale. On 06/04 Air Swift opened a three times weekly service (Mon/Wed/Fri) on the route Cairns to Karumba and Normanton however these flights were later suspended. Present schedules show Air Swift operating twice daily (Mon/Wed/Fri) on the route from Cairns to Hope Vale. Air Swift took delivery of Cessna 404 VH-JOR at Cairns on 10/04 after the aircraft ferried in from Germany. Cessna 404 VH-JOR and Cessna 421C VH-JOA are retained for charter operations.

Albatross Airlines

Airline Code: UX. 6 Todd Street, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, SA 5223. (0848) 22296. Fax (0848) 23191. GM: Robert Stevens. Route: Kingscote to Adelaide. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-HRL, -ORG. Albatross Airlines commenced commuter operations in 09/79 between Kingscote and Adelaide. Present schedules show Albatross operating three return services daily on the route. Albatross also operates PA23-250s VH-BKJ and VH-MCI on passenger and freight charter work. Subsidiary company Kangaroo Island Aircraft Maintenance operate from Hangar One at Kingscote Airport.

Arnhem Air Charter

PO Box 39431, Winnellie, NT 5789. (089) 84 4322. Fax (089) 47 1198. MD: O Osgood. Routes: From their Darwin base Arnhem Air Charter operate flights to Croker and Goulburn Island, Maningrida, Milingimbi and Oenpelli. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-IXP, -JNX, -LGI. PA31-310 VH-JWH, -SAO. Partenavia P-68B VH-ECO. Arnhem Air Charter aircraft carry individual names which reflect the ports that they operate to as follows – VH-IXP ‘Milingimbi’, -JNX ‘Maningrida’, -LGI ‘Oenpelli’, -JWH ‘Goulburn Island’ and -SAO ‘Croker Island’.

Augusta Airways

Airline Code: BH. PO Box 1756, Port Augusta, SA 5700. (086) 42 3100. Fax (086) 41 0860. Adelaide Airport: Phone (08) 234 3000. Fax (08) 234 4854. MD: Tony Kingham. Routes: Pt Augusta/Adelaide, Leigh Creek/Adelaide, Pt Augusta/Leigh Creek/lnnamincka/ Birdsville/Boulia. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-AZJ, -LMB, -NPD. Commander 500S VH-ACZ. Airways commenced regional airline operations in 08/83 on Channel Country routes from Port Augusta to Birdsville and Mt Isa. Services from Port Augusta to Adelaide commenced in 07/84. Present schedules show Augusta operating 12 return flights weekly (Mon-Fri) on their main route between Pt Augusta and Adelaide. Augusta Airways also operates a unique weekly mail service between Pt Augusta and Boulia using a Commander 500S. For the year ending 30/06 Augusta Airways carried 11,500 pax.

Aus-Air

Airline Code: NO. Northern Avenue, Moorabbin Airport, Vic 3194. (03) 580 6166. Fax (03) 580 8955. MD: Bill Dart. Routes: Aus-Air operate services from their Melbourne/Moorabbin base to Burnie Devonport, Flinders Island, King Island, Launceston and Smithton. Fleet: EMB-110P2 VH-OZF. PA31-350 VH-OZM, -OZP, -OZQ, -OZT, -OZV. PA31-310 VH-OZN, -OZO. Aus-Air continues to develop its network from its Moorabbin base, where they can offer their passengers the comfort of a modern terminal building. For the twelve months ending 30/06 Aus-Air carried 26,702 passengers.

Australian Commuter Airlines

Airline Code: ZN. PO Box 1789, Macquarie Centre, 2113. (02) 809 6983. Fax (02) 809 3871. GM: Ross Pollock. Routes: Canberra to Bankstown, Canberra to Wollongong. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-AUG. Australian Commuter Airlines appears in our Directory for the first time though last minute administrative problems have deferred its start up date beyond the end of our survey period. For the sake of completeness however we have included Australian Commuter Airlines in this years Directory. Australian Commuter has introduced a new concept into the regional airline scene by operating on the AOC of another airline, which in this case is Peninsula Airlines, and by using the Peninsula Airlines flight designator of ZN. Australian Commuter originally planned to commence services between Sydney/Bankstown and Canberra on 10/10 and between Canberra and Wollongong on 24/10.

Corporate Airlines Canberra

Airline Code: FX. GPO Box 565, Canberra, ACT 2601 (06) 249 7044. Fax (06) 257 3135. GM: Andrew Major. Route: Canberra to Albury. Fleet: Cessna 441 VH-IJQ, Cessna 404 VH-ARQ, -CSV, -JOH. Corporate Airlines Canberra is a division of Vee H Aviation a well established Canberra based GA company involved in charter training and maintenance. Present schedules show Corporate Air operating three return flights daily (Mon-Fri) plus a Sunday service on the Canberra/Albury route. Corporate Air also operates King Air 200 VH-YNE, Baron 58s VH-CSY, -CYT, Beech 76 VH-SRO and PA44-180 VH-FRI on charter work out of Canberra.

Country Connection Airlines

Airline Code: XL. PO Box 171, Cootamundra, 2590. (069) 42 3500. Fax (069) 42 3213. MD: Terry McKenzie. Routes: Cootamundra to Young, Cowra and Sydney and West Wyalong to Condoblin, Forbes and Sydney. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-XLA, -XLB, -XML. Country Connection Airlines commenced regional airline operations in 09/91 over the former Hazelton Airlines route from Cootamundra to Young, Cowra and Sydney. In 08/93 Country Connection added the West Wyalong to Temora, Forbes and Sydney route to its network. Country Connection discontinued services to Temora in 02/94 and the same month added Condoblin to its network. Country Connection also operate Cessna 310R VH-FYW on charter operations. Maintenance on the Country Connection fleet is carried out by South West Aviation of Cootamundra, an engineering facility which has been owned by the operators of Country Connection Airlines since 1980. During 1994 Country Connection Airlines were the award for the Riverina region of NSW by the NSW Small Business Council.

Eastern Australia Airlines

Airline Code: QF/ECO. PO Box 538, Mascot, 2020. (02) 693 1000. Fax (02) 693 2715. GM: Neil Shea. Routes: Eastern Australia Airlines operate a network of services connecting the following ports – Armidale, Brisbane, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Coolangatta, Cooma, Dubbo, Grafton, Lord Howe Island, Moree, Narrabri, Newcastle/Williamtown, Port Macquarie, Sydney, Tamworth and Taree. Fleet: DHC-8-100 VH-TQF, -TQN, -TQO, -TQP, -TQQ, -TQR. BAe Jetstream 31 VH-TQJ, -TQK, -TQL, -TQM. Eastern Australia Airlines further consolidated its position as the leading regional airline in Australia in this period. For the twelve months ending 30/06 Eastern Australia carried 460,842 passengers which is a 17% rise on the previous year. For the week ending April 4 Eastern carried a record 10,205 passengers the first time an Australian regional airline has carried more than 10,000 passengers in a week. Eastern leased Dash 8 VH-NID from Rothschilds Bank in 06/92. The lease was planned for termination on 30/11/93 however NID later returned to Eastern service between 27/12 and 09/01 to cover the painting of Dash 8 VH-TQO. The first aircraft to be painted in the new Qantas colour scheme was Dash 8 TQF, which was rolled out at Tamworth on 25/11/93. Between then and 28/01 Dash 8s VH-TQN and TQO and Jetstream 31s TQJ and TQM also received the new scheme however since then the fleet painting has come to a halt. During the period under review Eastern finally disposed of its former Bandeirante fleet. EMB-ll0Pl VH-WDI departed Tamworth on 22/11/93 on delivery to Airlink in Rabaul as P2-ALY, while EMB- 110P2 VH-WDF arrived back in Tamworth on 20/11/93 from Rabaul on completion of its lease to Airlink. Later VH-WDF which was registered P2-ALX departed Tamworth on 01/07 on its delivery flight to Airlink. Stall warning problems grounded Jetstream 31 VH-TQK from early 05/94 until late 06/94 while Jetstream 31 VH-TQL was also grounded in late 05/94 with the same problem. To overcome its capacity problems Eastern hired a number of Metro III aircraft including NEK and NEM from Tamair and SSW from Newcastle Aviation.

Eastland Air

Airline Code: DK. PO Box 6021, Toowoomba, 4350. (076) 34 1366. Fax (076) 34 5215. MD: Cynthia Moore. Routes: Toowoomba/Brisbane. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-MKC, PA31-310 VH-SGQ. Toowoomba based Eastland Air Charter commenced flying as a regional operator in 12/89 under the name Eastland Air. In 08/91 Eastland Air was purchased by another Toowoomba based operator Moores Air Charter with the Eastland Air name being retained by the new owner. Eastland Air presently schedules 13 return flights weekly on the Toowoomba to Brisbane route. At Brisbane Airport Eastland Air flights operate to and from the Qantas terminal. Eastland Air purchased PA31-350 VH-LNA from Lincoln Airlines in 01/94 with the aircraft being re-registered VH-MKC before entering service. Parent company Moores Air Charter sold their Beech King Air 200 VH-MKR in the United States in 11/93 however Baron B55 VH-ARL has been retained for general charter work.

Emu Airways

PO Box 34, Crafers, SA 5152. (08) 234 3711. Fax (08) 234 3747. MD: Lance McKean. Route: Adelaide to Kingscote and Adelaide to Penneshaw. Fleet: Cessna 402B VH-CEM, Cessna 402A VH-AWS. Emu Air Charter t/a Emu Airways commenced regional airline operations in 11/91 from Adelaide to Kingscote with Penneshaw coming on line in 11/92. Present schedules show Emu Airways operating two return services daily between Adelaide and the Kangaroo Island ports. Emu Airways sold RC-500S VH-IBV in 08/94 to the Essendon based company General Aviation Maintenance.

Executive Air

PO Box 4212, Darwin, NT 0801. (089) 45 0777. Fax (089) 45 0757. GM: John Bonnin. Route: Gove to Elcho Island and Darwin. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-JVD. Beech Queen Air B80 VH-AMD, -AMQ. Cessna 402A VH-BOZ, -BUS. Cessna 402B VH-CWG. Executive Air appears in our Directory for the first time having commenced regional airline operations in 02/94 on the route from Gove to Elcho Island and Darwin. Present schedules show Executive Air operating six return services weekly on the route. Executive Air took delivery of EMB-ll0Pl VH-MWV on 21/02 however to date this aircraft has been used on charter work out of Darwin. Also operated by Executive Air on charter flights are Commander 680E VH-CAX; Baron B55 VH-TLP, -TWO, -RLS; Duchess VH-MFS; Cessna 2101 VH-BEC, -FYR; Cessna 210M VH-AQH, -MDZ; Cessna U206F VH-EUW; Cessna U206G VH-FRT; Cessna 182H VH-DKE and Cessna 172N VH-UDB.

Eyre Commuter

PO Box 16, Cummins, SA 5631. (086) 86 2329. Fax (086) 86 2158. Routes: Cummins and Tumby Bay to Adelaide. Fleet: Cessna 402B VH-FFJ. PA34-200T VH-KAE, -MRY. Eyre Charter P/L, operating as Eyre Commuter has been operating regional airline services on the Cummins to Tumby Bay and Adelaide route since 04/80.

Flight West Airlines

Airline Code: YC/FWA. PO Box 1126, Brisbane, Qld 4009. (07) 212 1212. Fax (07) 212 1297. GM: Paula Cox. Routes: Flight West operates a network of services from its Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns bases to the following ports – Bamaga, Barcaldine, Birdsville, Blackall, Bundaberg, Burketown, Charleville, Cloncurry, Coen, Cooktown, Doomadgee Mission, Edward River, Emerald, Gladstone, Horn Island, Hughenden, Julia Creek, Karumba, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Longreach, Mackay, Mornington Island, Mount Isa, Normanton, Quilpie, Richmond, Rockhampton, Roma, Thursday Island, Windorah and Winton. Fleet: DHC-8-100 VH-XFT, -XFU. EMB-120 VH-XFV, -XFW, -XFX, -XFZ. DHC-6-300 VH-XFC, -XFE. EMB-ll0Pl VH-XFD, -XFJ, -XFK, -XFL, -XFM, -XFN, -XFO, -XTL. King Air 200 VH-SKC, -SKN, -XDB, -XRF, -XRP. On Order: one EMB-120RT (12/94). Flight West Airlines was awarded a further three year subsidy in 05/93 by the Queensland Government for their operations to Western Queensland. Hervey Bay was added to the Flight West route network in 05/93 with the basing of a Bandeirante aircraft in Brisbane, however flights were terminated on the route on 24/04. Flight West opened a new base in Mt Isa in 08/94 basing a Bandeirante and King Air 200 in that port. Flight West discontinued its service to Coen and Lockhart River from 11/11/94. Fleet movements in this period saw the delivery of a fourth EMB-120RT which was purchased from Transportes Aereos de Cabo Verde. The Brasilia, which was delivered to Brisbane on 25/01 as D4-CAZ, later entered service with Flight West as VH-XFZ. Former Talair EMB-ll0Pl P2-RDW was added to the Flight West fleet in 11/93 as VH-XFO. Both VH-XFZ and VH-XFO were painted in the colours of Ansett Australia as was King Air 200 VH-XRF, while EMB-110P2 VH-XFM carries the colours of the North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League team. DHC-6-200 VH-XFH was withdrawn from service in 11/93 and sold in Papua New Guinea. DHC-6-300 VH-XFE was leased to Aeropelican for a short period in 08/94 while King Air 200 VH-SKN was leased to Skywest Airlines from late 03/94 until 06/94. The Queensland Government Flying Surgeon and Flying Obstetrician contracts were operated by Flight West until 31/12. To service this contract Flight West based Baron 58 VH-PRH at Longreach and Baron 58s VH-HFI and VH-XGF at Roma. From 01/01 the three year contract was awarded to Helimuster operating Cessna 421Bs. For the year ending 30/06 Flight West carried 267,055 pax.

Gawne Airlines

Gawne Airlines returned to regional airline operations on 17/03 operating a leased PA31-350 VH-111 on a twice daily (Mon/Fri) service between Shepparton and Melbourne/Tullamarine. Gawne Airlines flights in Melbourne were handled at the Qantas domestic terminal. On 05/04 Gawne Airlines ceased operations apparently due to poor loadings. The 14 days of operation provided by Gawne Airlines must surely be a record for brevity of service by an Australian regional airline. Gawne had previous experience as a regional airline between 03/79 and 06/83 when they operated on the Shepparton to Melbourne/Tullamarine route using PA23-250 VH-PFD and Baron C55 VH-WSW.

Goldfields Air Services

Goldfields Air Services discontinued operations as a regional airline in 06/94 mainly as a result of falling passenger numbers. Goldfields had been involved in regional airline operations since 05/82 when they commenced flying on the route from Kalgoorlie to Laverton and Leonora. Though Goldfields Air Services has withdrawn from RPT services they are still involved in charter and flying training and currently operate Cessna 402C VH-LAE, Cessna 402B VH-MFF, Cessna 310R VH-LCO, Cessna 210Ls VH-CLL, -TDV and Cessna 210M VH-TYG.

Hazelton Airlines

Airline Code: ZI/HZL. PO Box 12, Cudal, 2864. (063) 615 815. Fax (063) 615 894. CEO: Max Hazelton. Routes: Hazelton Airlines operate a network of services connecting the following ports – Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Brisbane, Broken Hill, Casino, Cobar, Coolangatta, Cudal, Dubbo, Griffith, Lismore, Merimbula, Moruya, Mudgee, Narrandera, Orange, Parkes, Sydney, Traralgon/Morwell, Wagga and West Sale. Fleet: Saab 340B VH-CMH, -LIH, -OLM, -OLN, -TCH. Shorts 360 VH-MJH, -MJU. Metro 23 VH-DMI. PA31-350 VH-CJQ, -MWP, -MYQ, -MZF, -MZK, -MZM, -MZX. Hazelton Airlines took delivery of a fifth Saab 340B VH-TCH ‘Our Selection’ at Cudal on 05/07 with the aircraft entering service on 10/07 ZL152 from Cudal to Orange and Sydney. Hazelton commenced a weekly service on the route West Sale to Launceston in 03/93 using Shorts 360 equipment however in late 10/94 this route was dropped from the Hazelton network. For the year ending 30/06 Hazelton Airlines carried 333,000 passengers.

Horizon Airways

Airline Code: AW. PO Box 239, Belmont, WA 6104. (09) 572 1619. Fax (09) 572 3077. MD: Dave Cooper. Route: Perth to Kalgoorlie, Kalgoorlie to Ayers Rock. Fleet: Cessna 441 VH-AZW. Horizon Airways commenced regional airline operations in 09/93 between Perth and Kalgoorlie and current schedules show that Horizon are operating fifteen return services weekly between the two ports. At Perth Airport Horizon Airways flights are handled at the Qantas domestic terminal. On 09/04 Ayers Rock was added to the network with a weekly service from Kalgoorlie. In 03/94 Horizon Airways replaced their Cessna 441 VH-SMO with the Cessna 441 VH-LEM which they leased from Ashton Mining. VH-LEM remained in service with Horizon until 07/94 when it was replaced by Cessna 441 VH-AZW.

Impulse Airlines

Airline Code: VQ. Flight Facilities, Eleventh Street, Mascot, 2020. (02) 317 5400. Fax (02) 317 4004. MD: Gerry McGowan. Routes: Impulse Airlines operate services to the following ports: Armidale, Brisbane, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Coolangatta, Glen Innes, Inverell, Kempsey, Lismore, Melbourne, Newcastle/Williamtown, Port Macquarie, Sydney, Tamworth and Taree. Fleet: Jetstream 41 VH-AFR, -IMQ, -IMR, -SMH. Beech 1900D VH-IMA, -MML. Beech 1900C-l VH-OST. Beech C99 VH-OXB, -OXC, -OXD, -OXE. On Order: Jetstream 41 VH-IMS (12/94), two Beech 1900D (12/94). Impulse Airlines appears in our Directory for the first time having commenced operations in 03/94. Impulse Airlines is part of the Impulse Transportation Group who in 12/92 took control of the Port Macquarie based regional operator Oxley Airlines. It was no surprise therefore when the name of the airline was changed in 03/94 from Oxley to Impulse. On 04/07 Impulse Airlines placed an order for 10 Jetstream 41s. The first Jetstream 41 VH-SMH was delivered to Sydney on 07/08 and entered service on 18/08. The remainder of the Jetstream 41 deliveries in this period, which were made to Brisbane, were VH-IMQ on 10/09, VH-AFR on 10/10 and VH-IMR on 24/10. The fifth Jetstream 41 VH-IMS is planned for delivery in 12/94 while the remaining five aircraft will be delivered during 1996. Impulse added Melbourne to its route network on 17/10 with the introduction of a twice daily direct Jetstream 41 service from Newcastle/ Williamtown. To allow the registration VH-SMH to be used on their first Jetstream 41 aircraft Impulse changed the registration of their Beech 1900D VH-SMH to VH-IMA. In a similar move Beech 1900C-l VH-AFR, which will be sold, became VH-OST to allow the third Jetstream 41 to carry the marks VH-AFR. Impulse also has two Beech 1900Ds on order while they have taken options on two Canadair Regional Jets for delivery during 1996/97. The Impulse Transportation Group purchased Pacific Aviation from the then Ansett Transport Industries in 05/94, while it was announced the following month that Impulse aircraft would carry the colours of Ansett Australia and that its flights would use the Ansett AN flight designator. Pacific Aviation is the local distributor for the corporate Jetstream 31 and will import a so configured Jetstream 31 in 12/94. Pacific Aviation is also importing a number of BAe 748s for night freight operations with the first of these GBCOE being delivered to Bankstown on 08/10.

Kakadu Air

PO Box 95, Jabiru, NT 0886. (089) 792 411. Fax (089) 792 303. Director: Bob McDonald. Fleet: GAF N-24A VH-KNA, Cessna 402B VH-KQA, -TWX, Partenavia P-68B VH-PFP, Partenavia P-68C VH-UUP. Routes: Darwin/Katherine, Darwin/Jabiru, Jabiru/Katherine. Kakadu Air appears in our Directory for the first time though in fact they had not commenced regional airline services at our cut off date of 31/10. At time of writing however Kakadu Air were hopeful of receiving permission to commence RPT operations early in 11/94. Kakadu Air took delivery of GAF Nomad N-24A ZK-ECM at its Jabiru base on 26/05 with the aircraft later being registered VH-KNA. Kakadu Air Services has been established in the Northern Territory for a number of years operating scenic and tourist flights and also have in their fleet Cessna 207 VH-GKZ, -KAX, -LFU, -NIV and Cessna 210N VH-TFL.

Kendell Airlines

Airline Code: KD/KDA. PO Box 78, Wagga, 2650. (069) 22 0100 Fax (069) 22 0116. MD: Don Kendell. Routes: Kendell Airlines operates a network of services from its two major hubs at Adelaide and Melbourne. From Adelaide Kendell flies to Broken Hill, Ceduna, Coober Pedy, Kingscote, Mount Gambier, Olympic Dam, Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Woomera and Yulara. From Melbourne Kendell fly to Albury, Burnie, Cooma, Devonport, King Island, Merimbula, Mildura, Mount Gambier, Portland and Wagga. Fleet: Saab 340A VH-EKD, -EKT, -KDB, -KDI, -KDK, -KDP. Metro 23 VH-KAN, -KDJ, -KDO, -KDT, -KED, -KEU. Metro II VH-KDQ, -KDR. Kendell took delivery of two more Metro 23s in this period to bring its fleet total to six. Metro 23 N3023Q arrived at Wagga on 14/03 on completion of its trans-Pacific ferry flight from San Antonio, Texas. Later registered VH-KED the Metro entered service with Kendell on 18/03. Kendell’s sixth Metro 23 N30236 was delivered on 22/03 and later entered service as VH-KEU. Both VH-KED and VH-KEU were delivered carrying Ansett’s Australian flag colour scheme. With the entry into service of the fifth and sixth Metro 23s Kendell withdrew from operation Metro IIs VH-BIS, VH-WGV, VH-WGX and VH-WGY. The first Metro II to be withdrawn from service was VH-WGV in 03/94 with Kendell selling the aircraft to the Brisbane based freight operator Jetcraft. Metro II VH-WGX operated its last flight for Kendell on 28/04 as KD2274 from Melbourne to Albury and Wagga. The following month VH-WGX ferried from Wagga to Bankstown on delivery to International Air Parts in Sydney. Metro II VH-BIS operated its last service for Kendell on 14/07 as KD236 from Melbourne to Albury and Wagga before being sold to International Air Parts. The final Metro II to be withdrawn from service in this period was VH-WGY which flew its last service for Kendell on 22/07 when it operated KD461 from Whyalla to Adelaide. The following day VH-WGY was ferried to Wagga for onward delivery to International Air Parts. Metro II VH-BIF which was withdrawn from Kendell service at Wagga in 06/93, was donated to the Airworld Museum in Wangaratta with the Metro departing Wagga by road for Wangaratta on 26/11/93. The first Saab 340A in the Kendell fleet to carry the then new colour adopted by the Ansett regional airlines was VH-KDP. After painting, VH-KDP entered service with Kendell in late 04/94. Also painted in this period was Saab 340A VH-KDK which entered service on 07/07. Kendell uses the AN flight designator on services out of Melbourne to Burnie, Devonport and Mildura. For the twelve months ending 30/06 Kendell Airlines carried 440,175 passengers.

King Island Airlines

Airline Code: KG. PO Box 720, Cheltenham, 3192. (03) 580 3777. Fax (03) 580 7361. GM: Wayne Saunders. Route: Melbourne/ Moorabbin to King Island. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-JIC, -KGN, -KIJ. King Island Airlines commenced regional airline operations in 06/90 on the route between Melbourne/Moorabbin and King Island. Current schedules show them operating three return flights daily (Mon/Fri) plus a single return service on Sat/Sun. PA31-350 VH-WGF was sold in 07/94 to the Essendon based operator Australian General Aviation.

Lincoln Airlines

Airline Code: RT. PO Box 387, Port Lincoln, SA 5606. (086) 82 5688. Fax (086) 82 6052. MD: Malcolm Catt. Route: Port Lincoln to Adelaide. Fleet: EMB-ll0Pl VH-LNB, -LNC. Lincoln Airlines commenced regional airline operations in 09/87 between Port Lincoln and Adelaide using PA31-350 equipment. In 06/92 Lincoln Airlines replaced its PA31-350s with EMB-ll0Pl VH-WPE, which was later re-registered VH-LNB. In mid 11/93 Lincoln Airlines added a second Bandeirante to its fleet when EMB-ll0Pl VH-LNC was delivered to Port Lincoln. Present schedules show Lincoln Airlines operating 28 return services a week between Port Lincoln and Adelaide. At Adelaide Airport Lincoln Airlines flights are handled at the Qantas domestic terminal while its flights are hosted in the Qantas reservations system. Lincoln Airlines sold PA31-350 VH-LNA to Eastland Air in 01/94, however they have retained PA31-350 VH-IJE for charter work. For the year ending 30/06 Lincoln Airlines carried 30,000 passengers.

Link Airways

Link Airways commenced charter operations out of Wagga in 1984 before expanding into regional airline operations in 07/91. In 04/94 Link Airways terminated service on its Hay to Deniliquin and Wagga route and shortly after closed down operations. Link Airways’ RC-690 VH-NYC was sold in early 94 to the Brisbane based charter operator Transair. Prior to terminating services Link Airways’ flight designator was changed from JK to XU.

Maf (Missionary Aviation Fellowship)

PO Box 821, Nhulunbuy 5797. (089) 87 2777. Fax (089) 87 2432. Routes: from their base at Gove MAF operate services to Elcho Island, Groote Eylandt, Lake Evelia, Milingimbi, Numbulwar and Ramingining. Fleet: PBN Islander VH-UBD. Cessna 402C VH-AII, -UBB, -UBF, -UCM. The MAF commuter operation in Arnhem Land is a small part of MAF Australia, an organisation which operates 40 aircraft in three countries.

Majestic Airways

Airline Code: 9F. PO Box 1195, Toombul, Queensland 4012. (07) 860 5099. Fax (07) 860 5094. CEO: Martine Leben. Routes: Brisbane to Hervey Bay. Fleet: Mohawk 298 VH-HEI, -HIX. Majestic Airways commenced regional airline operations on 03/05 between Brisbane and Hervey Bay. Present schedules show Majestic operating 20 return services weekly on the route. In 06/94 Majestic Airways commenced operations between Brisbane and Bundaberg, however on 24/10 flights were suspended due to poor loadings. Majestic was initially allocated the IATA flight designator code HR however this was later changed to 9F. Equipment used by Majestic Airways are Mohawk 298s VH-HEI and -HIX which are configured to carry 25 passengers. These aircraft along with Mohawk 298s VH-HKS and -HKT, which were previously operated by Southern Pacific Airlines, were purchased at auction in late 93 by the UK based Majestic Group, owners of Majestic Airways. At Brisbane Majestic Airways flights arrive and depart from the centre finger in the domestic terminal. Majestic Airways two other Mohawk 298s VH-HKS and VH-HKT are presently hangared at Bundaberg Airport with VH-HKT planned to enter Majestic service during 1995 while VH-HKS will be used as a source for spare parts for the remainder of the fleet.

O’connor Airlines

Airline Code: UQ. PO Box 21, Mount Gambier, SA 5290. (087) 25 6666. Fax (087) 25 8003. MD: Leigh O’Connor. Routes: From its Mount Gambier base O’Connor Airlines operates to Adelaide and Melbourne. Fleet: Cessna 441 VH-KDN, -OAA. O’Connor Airlines commenced airline services in 07/80 using a Cessna 402C on the route from Mt Gambier to Naracoorte, Millicent, Kingston and Adelaide. Present schedules show O’Connor Airlines operating 14 return services weekly on their two routes from Mt Gambier to Adelaide and from Mt Gambier to Melbourne, using nine seat Cessna 441s. At Adelaide and Melbourne Airports O’Connor flights are handled at the Qantas domestic terminal while their flights are hosted in the Qantas reservations system.

Ord Air Charter

Airline Code: YO. PO Box 73, Wyndham, WA 6740. (091) 61 1335. Fax (091) 61 1456. MD: Mrs M Reid. Routes: Ord Air Charter operate a network of services to the following ports – Balgo Hills, Billuna, Derby, Drysdale River, Flora Valley, Fitzroy Crossing, Forrest River, Halls Creek, Inverway, Kalumburu, King Edward River, Kununurra, Lake Gregory, Margaret River, Nicholson, Theda Station and Wyndham. Fleet: Cessna 402C VH-OAD. Baron 58 VH-AYV, -BBP, -MNH. Cessna U206F VH-IRY. Cessna U206G VH-BBU, -SHZ, -STX. Ord Air Charter also operate BN-2A VH-IOA on charter work.

Oxley Airlines

Oxley Airlines ceased regional airline operations in early 03/94 with the airline changing its name to Impulse Airlines. Port Macquarie based Oxley Airlines commenced regional airline operations in 06/75 with flights between Port Macquarie and Lord Howe Island. Oxley Airlines latterly came under the control of the Sydney based Impulse Transportation Group and with the new owners came new routes and fleet modernisation. At the time of their closure Oxley Airlines were operating Beech 1900D VH-MML, -SMH; Beech 1900C-l VH-AFR; Beech C99 VH-OXB, -OXC, -OXD, -OXE and King Air B200 VH-OXA, -OXL. Beech 1900D N82896 was noted at Le Bourget Airport, Paris in Oxley Airlines however the aircraft was never delivered. Oxley Airlines commenced operations on the Newcastle/Williamtown to Canberra route in 11/93.

Peninsula Airlines

Main Terminal Building, Essendon Airport, 3041. (03) 374 2084. Fax (03) 379 3766. MD: Joanne Jenner. Routes: From their Melbourne/ Essendon base Peninsula Airlines operate to Canberra, Deniliquin, Echuca, Griffith, Hay, Narrandera and Swan Hill. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-FIA, PA31-310 VH-DWX, -EGF, Cessna 340 VH-IRV, Baron 58 VH-HHX. Peninsula commenced regional airline operations in 01/93 on the Melbourne/Essendon to Swan Hill route. The route network was later expanded to include Deniliquin, Echuca, Griffith, Hay and Narrandera. Peninsula added Canberra to its route network in 08/94 with flights from the national capital being operated to Deniliquin, Griffith and Hay. Peninsula took delivery of PA31-310 VH-EGF and Cessna 340 VH-IRV in 04/94 while PA31-350 VH-FIA was added to the fleet in 10/94. During the year Peninsula terminated their hire agreements on Cessna 421B VH-ASE, Cessna 402C VH-PVU, Cessna 310R VH-OOT and PA34-200 VH-SEN. Peninsula Airlines is also associated with the new start-up regional airline Australian Commuter Airlines who planned to commence operations in late 10/94. Australian Commuter aircraft will operate under the Peninsula AOC, use the Peninsula flight designator and be flown by Peninsula pilots.

Phillip Island Air Services

Thompson Avenue, Cowes, Victoria 3922. (059) 56 7316. Fax (059) 56 7172. MD: Sandy Reith. Route: Tyabb to Phillip Island and Burnie/Wynyard. Fleet: Cessna 402B VH-BPZ. Cessna 401 VH-KRY. Phillip Island Air Services commenced regional airline operations in 1982 between Cowes and Burnie/Wynyard. In 02/94 Tyabb was added to the Phillip Island network. During the peak summer months Phillip Island increases flights on the Tyabb to Cowes and Burnie/Wynyard route to five return services weekly.

Promair

Airline Code: FB. PO Box 3, Welshpool, Vic 3966. (056) 88 1487. Fax (056) 88 1520. MD: Brian Tucker. Routes: From their Welshpool base Promair operates services to Flinders Island and Georgetown. Fleet: PA31-310 VH-BRL, -EYF, -RRM. Promair flights to Northern Tasmania moved from Launceston to Georgetown in early 10/93 with the upgrading of the airport and the opening of a terminal building. Present schedules show Promair operating 14 return services weekly between Welshpool, Flinders Island and Georgetown.

Qwestair

Airline Code: QH. PO Box 31, Cloverdale, WA 6015. (09) 479 1744. Fax (09) 479 1745. MGR: Roma Gehringer. Route: Perth to Telfer and Port Hedland to Marble Bar, Woodie Woodie and Telfer. Fleet: Westwind II VH-NGA. Westwind VH-AJJ. Cessna 310R VH-TRN. Qwestair, a subsidiary of Pel-Air Aviation, took over the Perth to Telfer route from Skywest Airlines in 01/89. During the year Qwestair added Westwind VH-AJJ to its fleet. Present schedules show that Qwestair operates 16 return services weekly between Perth and Telfer using the two Westwinds. From 01/92 Qwestair commenced twice weekly (Tue/Thu) operations from Port Hedland to Telfer via Marble Bar and Woodie Woodie using Cessna 310R VH-TRN.

Rottnest Airlines

Airline Code: WI. PO Box 720, Cloverdale, WA 6105. (09) 478 1322. Fax (09) 277 4198. MD: Francis Anthony. Route: Perth to Rottnest Island. Fleet: PBN Islander VH-HPL, -SYU. Rottnest Airlines, previously Rottnest Airbus, commenced airline services in 03/85 between Perth and Rottnest Island. Rottnest Airlines operates 35 return flights weekly between Perth and Rottnest Island. At Perth Airport Rottnest Airlines flights depart from the airlines own terminal in Fauntleroy Avenue.

Sa Regional Airlines

SA Regional Airlines appear in our Directory for the first time having commenced regional airline operations on 23/06 after purchasing the remaining assets of Air Kangaroo Island. Initial equipment used by SA Regional Airlines for its four times daily service from Adelaide to Kingscote was PA31-350 VH-NEH. The Chieftain was owned by Tamair but SA Regional leased it from Air Cairns. On 03/08 SA Regional Airlines took delivery of a second leased PA31-350 when VH-LIL ferried into Adelaide from Moorabbin. SA Regional Airlines effectively ceased operations in late 09/94 when a joint venture company was set up to revive the operations of Air Kangaroo Island.

Sabair Airlines

Airline Code: ZG. PO Box 404, Toowoomba, Qld 4350. (076) 33 1533. Fax (076) 34 1144. Chief Pilot: Gordon Patterson. Route: Sabair operates from Toowoomba to Brisbane, Cunnamulla, Dalby, Roma, St George and Thargomindah. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-OCF. Cessna 402 VH-ELZ. Partenavia P-68B VH-IXC. Sabair commenced regional airline operations in 11/82 on the route from Brisbane to Kingaroy, Gayndah and Monto. Since 08/86 Sabair has consolidated its operations on the Toowoomba to Brisbane route and present schedules show it operating 15 return services weekly between the two ports. At Brisbane Sabair flights arrive and depart from the Ansett Australia terminal and its flights are hosted in the Ansett reservations system. In 05/93 the Queensland Government awarded Sabair a three year subsidy to operate to the western Queensland ports of Cunnamulla, St George and Thargomindah with a twice weekly service commencing on 31/05. Sabair introduced a fortnightly Tuesday service in 04/94 from Toowoomba to Roma while in 06/94 they commenced operating twice weekly (Tue/Fri) between Toowoomba and Dalby.

Seaview Air

Airline Code: CD. PO Box 3, Lord Howe Island, 2898. GM: John Green. Routes: From Lord Howe Island to Williamtown and Sydney. Fleet: King Air 200 VH-IBF. PA31-350 VH-JJI, -LHI, -SVN, -SVV. Seaview Air was one of three operators nominated to operate airline services between Lord Howe Island and Sydney by the NSW Air Transport Council in 10/92. In effect Seaview Air continued to operate flights from Lord Howe Island to Sydney and Newcastle on a scheduled charter basis and it wasn’t until 07/94 that they became a licensed operator. On 02/10 Seaview Air flight CD111 from Newcastle/Williamtown to Lord Howe Island, which was being operated by Commander 690B VH-SVQ, crashed into the sea with the resultant loss of the pilot and eight passengers on board. As a result of on-going investigations Seaview Air was grounded by the CAA on 12/10.

Skywest Airlines

Airline Code: IT. PO Box 176, Cloverdale, 6105. (09) 478 9999. Fax (09) 478 9928. GM: Bob Mason. Routes: Skywest operates flights from Perth to Albany, Cue, Esperance, Geraldton, Meekatharra, Mt Keith, Mt Magnet and Wiluna. Fleet: Fokker 50 VH-FNH, Saab 340B VH-SBA, BAe Jetstream 31 VH-ESW, -HSW, -JSW, -OSW. On Order: Fokker 50 VH-FNF, -FNG. Skywest Airlines took delivery of a leased Saab 340B in this period mainly to cover planned maintenance requirements on their Jetstream 31 fleet. Saab 340B SE-KXA operated its first service for Skywest on 26/04 however it wasn’t until 01/07 that the Saab was registered to Skywest as VH-SBA. Skywest plans to operate the Saab on lease until late 12/94. Skywest took delivery of Fokker 50 VH-FNH at Perth on 05/10 after the aircraft ferried in from Melbourne via Adelaide and Kalgoorlie. VH-FNH is expected to be the first of three of its type to be transferred from Ansett Australia to Skywest. King Air 200 VH-SKN was leased from Flight West from late 03/94 until 06/94 while Cessna 550 VH-WGJ was leased from Skywest Aviation in 04/94. Skywest Airlines now uses the Ansett AN flight designator on most of its flights with the YT designator only being used on services to Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Shark Bay. For the twelve months ending 30/06 Skywest Airlines carried 90,000 passengers.

Southern Australia Airlines

Airline Code: QF. PO Box 1080, Mildura, 3500. (050) 22 2444. Fax (050) 22 1639. GM: Tony Mathews. Routes: From Melbourne Southern Australia operates flights to Canberra, Devonport, Launceston and Mildura. From Mildura flights are operated to Adelaide, Broken Hill and Renmark. Fleet: DHC-8-102 VH-WZI, -WZJ. Cessna 404 VH-DLF, -UOP. On Order: DHC-8-102 VH-WZS (02/95). Southern Australia Airlines was previously known as Sunstate Airlines (Mildura) until 01/92. In 02/94 Southern Australia increased the frequency on the Melbourne to Canberra route to a daily, except Friday, service, to complement regular Qantas flights. In 03/89 Sunstate was awarded a five year contract to operate the Victorian Air Ambulance service based at Melbourne/Essendon. This contract was renewed in 07/94 for a further five years. To service this contract Southern Australia has the following Cessna 404 Titans based at Essendon: VH-ANP, -BPO, -LAD, -WZK, -WZL and -WZM.

Sunstate Airlines

Airline Code: QF. PO Box 256, Hamilton Central, 4007. (07) 860 4577. Fax (07) 860 4578. GM: Ashley Kilroy. Routes: Sunstate operates a network of services from Brisbane to the following: Biloela/Thangool, Blackwater, Brampton Island, Bundaberg, Cairns, Dunk Island, Emerald, Gladstone, Great Keppel Island, Hervey Bay, Lizard Island, Lord Howe Island, Mackay, Maroochydore, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Thursday Island and Townsville. Fleet: DHC-8-102 VH-TND, -TNG, -TNX. Short 360 VH-BWO, -FCU, -MVW, -MVX. Short 330 VH-KNQ. DHC-6-300 VH-TGC, -TGF, -TGG, -TGH, -TGI. Sunstate Airlines took over the fleet and route network of Australian Regional Airlines from 10/93 with the former General Manager of ARAQ, Peter Ryan, becoming the Manager North Queensland for Sunstate. ARAQ ports added to the Sunstate route network were Brampton, Dunk, Great Keppel and Lizard Island. Shorts 330 VH-KNQ which had been in storage at Brisbane Airport since 09/93 returned to the Sunstate fleet in 02/94. Initially the 330 was brought back into service to cover the planned lay-up of the Sunstate Shorts 360 fleet while they were painted in Qantas colours. In effect only VH-FCU was withdrawn from service in 02/94 for painting by Eastern Australia Airlines in Tamworth. Twin Otters VH-TGG and VH-TGI were also painted in the Qantas colours in 07/94 at Townsville and Tamworth respectively. For the year ending June 30 Sunstate carried 308,000 pax.

Sydney Harbour Seaplanes

PO Box 551, Avalon, 2107. (02) 918 7472. GM: Rob Britten. Route: From Rose Bay/Newcastle. Fleet: DHC-2FP Beaver VH-AQA, -AQU. Sydney Harbour Seaplanes commenced operations in 09/93 taking over in the area vacated by Aquatic Air, who had ceased operations in 07/93. Sydney Harbour’s present timetable shows it operating four return flights daily (Mon/Fri) between Rose Bay and Newcastle harbour. Beaver VH-AQU sank at its moorings at Rose Bay on 26/05 due to high winds however the aircraft was soon repaired and returned to service. Sydney Harbour Seaplanes is presently restoring DHC-2FP VH-AQV.

Tamair

Airline Code: GG. PO Box 28, Westdale, 2340. (067) 61 5000. Fax (067) 67 7070. MD: Paul Bredereck. Routes: Tamworth/Sydney, Tamworth/ Forster & Sydney. Fleet: Metro III VH-NEJ, -NEK. PA31-350 VH-NEH. Tamair is a division of the long established New England Airways, and commenced regional airline operations in 08/92 between Tamworth and Sydney/Bankstown. In 04/93 Tamair commenced operations between Tamworth to Sydney using a Metro III. Current schedules show Tamair operating up to five return services daily between the two ports. In 02/94 Tamair added the Forster to Sydney route to their network with initial equipment used on the service being PA31-350s VH-HJE and VH-HJH which were cross hired from Avtex Air Services in Sydney. In 05/94 Tamair commenced RPT services between Tamworth and Forster. Tamair introduced its second Metro III VH-NEJ into service on 05/11/93, while a third Metro III VH-NEK was delivered to Tamworth on 20/05. With the delivery and entry into service of VH-NEK Tamair leased Metro III VH-NEM to the Kuala Lumpur based operator Asia Pacific Airlines. Carrying Asia Pacific colours VH-NEM departed Tamworth for Malaysia on 25/06. Tamair took delivery of Metro III VH-NEL at Tamworth on 25/10 however this aircraft was then leased to Airlines of Tasmania. Metro III VH-NEF was delivered to Tamworth in early 11/94 however this aircraft was then leased to Asia Pacific Airlines. Rockwell 690 VH-NEY was added to the RPT fleet in 05/94 however the Turbo Commander returned to charter operations in 09/94 with PA31-350 VH-NEH replacing the Turbo Commander on the Tamworth to Forster and Sydney service. Tamair also operates an extensive fleet of aircraft on charter, freight and bank documentation runs as follows: RC-690 VH-NYE; Cessna 411 VH-BBV; Cessna 310R VH-HHG, -JNZ, -LEB, -PPI, -SGL, -TXE; Cessna 3101 VH-EOZ; PA30-160 VH-EDW, -TXC; Cessna 210N VH-BKD; Beech A36 VH-EUB. Cessna 411 VH-BBV was added to the fleet in 07/94. Tamair sold PA31-350 VH-NEG to King Leopold Air as VH-KLK in 03/94 and the same month it sold PA31-350 VH-NEI to Slingair as VH-SAJ. During the year PA31-350 VH-NEH was leased to Air Cairns who in turn leased the aircraft to SA Regional Airlines before VH-NEH again returned to Tamair service. For the year ending 30/06 Tamair carried 36,000 passengers.

Uzu Air

Airline Code: LF. PO Box 1379, Cairns, 4870. (070) 31 5776. Fax (070) 52 1069. GM: Urs Felix. Routes: Uzu Air operates a network of services in the Torres Strait from Horn Island to Badu, Boigu, Coconut, Darnley, Kubin Village, Mabuiag, Murray, Saibai, Warraber, Yam and Yorke Island. Fleet: PBN Islander VH-XFF, -XFI. Uzu Air appears in our Directory for the first time having commenced regional airline services in 02/94 over routes vacated by Air Cairns. Uzu Air operates a network of services from Horn Island to a number of islands in the Torres Strait. As part of its fleet Uzu Air also offers for charter PBN Islander VH-FCO, Cessna 310R VH-URS and Cessna TU206G VH-EFT.

Western Airlines

Airline Code: MB. Domestic Terminal, Perth Airport, 6105. (09) 277 4022. Fax (09) 478 2537. GM: Bob Biltoft. Routes: Perth to Geraldton, Kalbarri, Useless Loop and Denham (Monkey Mia). Fleet: PA31-350 VH-TWU. Cessna 310R VH-JVO. Western Airlines commenced operations in 05/89 over routes previously operated by Midstate Airlines. The current timetable shows flights operating from Perth to Denham via Geraldton and Useless Loop on a Mon/Wed and Fri.

Whyalla Airlines

Airline Code: WW. PO Box 209, Whyalla, SA 5600. (086) 45 8922. Fax (086) 45 1951. MD: Kym Brougham. Routes: Whyalla to Adelaide; Ceduna, Streaky Bay, Wudinna, Cleve to Adelaide. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-BYG, -NPB, -XMC. Baron 58 VH-ION. Whyalla Airlines commenced operations in 02/90 from Whyalla to Adelaide. In 07/90 they took over the former Air Central Eyre route from Wudinna and Cleve to Adelaide, while Streaky Bay was added to the network in 08/91 after Kendell Airlines withdrew its service. Whyalla Airlines operates services to Ceduna and Streaky Bay on an on-demand basis. Present schedules show Whyalla Airlines operating 19 return flights weekly between Whyalla and Adelaide. Cessna 2101 VH-ROH is used for charter work.

Yanda Airlines

Airline Code: ST. Private Mailbag 5, Singleton, 2330. (065) 72 3100.Fax (065) 72 2757. MD: Paul Rees. Routes: Yanda Airlines operated flights to Sydney from Cessnock, Coonabarabran, Gunnedah, Maitland, Quirindi, Singleton, Scone and Wee Waa. Fleet: PA31-350 VH-ATP, -RDA, -TXK, -WAD. EMB-820C VH-HVA. Singleton Air Services t/a Yanda Airlines commenced regional airline services in 07/81 on the route from Cessnock to Sydney. Yanda operated five return services daily from the Hunter Valley to Sydney. Yanda sold PA31-350 VH-STO in 11/93 to Sandaun Air Services in Vanimo as P2-TED, while PA31-350 VH-TXK was added to their fleet during the year.