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Skytrans has begun new charter operations in NSW with the launch of a service between Sydney and the outback mining town of Cobar.
The regional carrier, which mainly operates in Queensland but has also taken over the former QantasLink service between Sydney and Lord Howe Island, commenced a weekly service from Sydney to Cobar earlier this year, with flights to continue until May.
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“This new charter service to the Copper City, renowned for its rich mining history and heritage, reinforces our ongoing commitment to strengthening the delivery of reliable and affordable air services to rural, regional and remote communities,” said Skytrans chief commercial officer Richard George.
“It is an exciting opportunity and a genuine privilege to continue to extend our flight network into the regions, strengthening partnerships and supporting the ongoing development of regional communities and their economic wellbeing.”
Skytrans operates Dash 8 turboprops and A319 jets for domestic, ACMI and charter operations, and says it is “planning further regional network expansion with both scheduled and contracted flying”.
“Skytrans Australia has established itself as a leading operator in the Australian regional aviation market,” the carrier said in a press release.
“The airline is committed to long-term sustainable growth, continually expanding its turboprop fleet and adding new regional routes to strengthen the delivery of reliable and affordable air services to rural, regional, and remote communities.”
The carrier, which was in 2024 purchased by global aviation firm Avia Solutions Group, last year rebranded to SmartLynx Australia to align it with other ASG brands overseas, but has returned to the Skytrans name following the collapse of SmartLynx Airlines in Latvia.
“The rebrand is limited solely to matters of corporate identity. Skytrans Australia will continue flights under the Australian Air Operator Certificate (AOC), and all day-to-day operations are set to continue without disruption, ensuring full-service continuity for customers and partners,” it said in a press release earlier this month.
Skytrans had already been operating wet-lease services from Sydney to Lord Howe Island for several months, and as of December, is now flying the route in its own right with ex-Qantas Dash 8 aircraft.
QantasLink exited the service after replacing its fleet of smaller Dash-8s with Q400s, which are too large to land at Lord Howe, but will codeshare with SmartLynx on the route.
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