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Sharp Airlines’ Melbourne-King Island service is in doubt as the regional carrier suspends forward bookings beyond April.
The airline has warned that the route “requires a level of government support to remain viable”, and is currently only offering bookings for reduced services between King Island and mainland Tasmania in the 2026-27 peak, as reported by the King Island Courier.
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“While no final decisions have been made, we have been clear in flagging that a sustainable pathway forward will require some form of government support,” said Sharp Airlines CEO Alistair Dorward.
“At this stage, no further flights between Melbourne and King Island will be loaded for sale beyond the end of April 2026.”
A decision by Sharp to exit the route would leave Melbourne-King Island served mainly by Rex from Tullamarine, though Sharp at this stage looks to be continuing its Melbourne-Flinders Island service from Essendon, as well as its King Island flights from Burnie and Launceston.
Sharp had in 2024 indicated it was willing to double its capacity between Melbourne and King Island if Rex was unable to meet demand during its administration.
“The Launceston to King Island schedule loaded for the winter season is the same schedule that was run last year. There are no plans to cut flights from the current Launceston to King Island schedule,” said Dorward.
“We remain committed to working transparently and collaboratively with all parties and will continue to keep the King Island community informed as discussions progress.”
Tasmania’s Tourism Minister Jane Howlett said the state government had provided funding to Sharp Airlines to maintain King Island services during the Rex administration, and is looking at ways to keep the island adequately served.
“This investment ensured service levels to the Bass Strait Islands were maintained during a period of industry uncertainty,” she said.
“Maintaining commercially viable air services to King Island is important, and we are looking at options.”
King Island Mayor Marcus Blackie has indicated that his council will negotiate with Rex’s new owner Air T for growth possibilities, and said Sharp remains “critical” to the island.
“The Tasmanian Government recognises the essential air services Sharp provides to both King and Flinders Islands, and State Growth will consider further support options from this winter schedule onwards,” he said.
“We are certainly advocating for a continuation of State support while regional aviation goes through a period of industry flux. That said, reducing the cost of King Island airfares must now be a priority to drive demand, and subsidies should also be considered.
“Finally, as a Council, we are doing our part by continuing to develop, expand and improve our municipality-owned airport to support increased aircraft, passenger and cargo throughput into the future.”
Productivity Commission and Senate inquiries into regional air transport are set to be held this year.
