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The second 737-300 sports its USAir livery. Both it and the number one -300 are carrying out a planned BOO hour flight test programme leading to FAA Certification by November with entry into service the following month. USAir has ordered 20 of the 138-passenger twinjets with options for 10 more.
Newsdesk – Commercial
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The Barrier Reef Comes of Age:
Ten, or even five years ago it would have seemed far-sighted to suggest that Boeing 767 and even 747SP-sized aircraft could eventually be operating into a Barrier Reef Island resort. Today that is happening and will become a reality on June 16 when the first scheduled Ansett 737 service inaugurates the Brisbane and Sydney to Hamilton Island service. Hamilton Islandisa massive hundred million dollar resort complex co-owned by the creator of Seaworld, Mr Keith Williams, and Ansett Airlines, who also own nearby Hayman Island. Ansett have invested heavily in the $12 million airport complex which features a 1762 m long runway sufficient in strength to even accommodate Boeing 747SP aircraft.
Services will presently run to ten per week using 737 aircraft but as the airport will also be a stepping-off point for Hayman Island it is expected that it won’t be long before capacity alone dictates the use of 767 aircraft. Services will operate twice on Saturday and twice on Sunday with one service each Wednesday from both Sydney and Brisbane, while Air Queensland will also service the airline with Twin Otters from Proserpine, Mackay and Townsville. Ansett will still service Proserpine itself but obviously services will be reviewed to ensure they are cost efficient in view of the future direct routing via the new Hamilton Island port. The island will also be home to three Bell 206L Longrangers which will operate from four large pontoons situated in a special stormproof bay These will provide shuttle services to surrounding islands and ad hoc scenic flights. Ansett will continue to operate their venerable Sikorsky S. 61 helos to the various resorts from Proser- pine though in time these aircraft will be phased out of operation Hamilton Island are also looking at larger helicopters in the Westland 30, Bell 212 and Sikorsky S. 76 class for introduction during 1985. The total resort capacity of both Hamilton and Hayman by 1988 will exceed 5000 beds, and as most guests stay one week then this roughly translates to a weekly throughput of up to 41 737 services which gives some indication of the future air traffic growth that is possible in the region According to Ansett, the new strip is equal to any jetport in Australia and will include a manned DotA control tower in addition to VASIS, NDB, VOR and DME aids. The only major problem the developers foresee is where to park the visiting executive jets that are bound to visit the island!
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