Published on 28th October 2024
Qantas customers will continue to be able to fly between Sydney and Lord Howe Island for years to come as part of an agreement with regional airline Skytrans.
With the national carrier retiring the Q200 aircraft it currently operates on the route, Skytrans has been awarded the licence to fly to the island by the New South Wales Government exclusively from 26 February 2026.
QantasLink and Skytrans are finalising a codeshare agreement that will commence when Skytrans starts operating these flights.
This will mean locals and tourists will continue to be able to book the Lord Howe Island flights on Qantas.com, with frequent flyers earning Status Credits and Qantas Points and having access to lounges in Sydney.
The Lord Howe Island Skytrans flights will continue to operate the same schedule and frequency as QantasLink’s operations, and it intends to operate these from Qantas’ Terminal 3 at Sydney Airport. There will be no impact to existing bookings.
The 36-seat Q200 is the only aircraft in QantasLink’s fleet that is able to operate to Lord Howe Island because of the island’s runway length and is being phased out as part of a major investment in the turboprop fleet to better serve regional Australia.
QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan said today’s announcement followed a commitment in June to maintaining services to the island.
“We have a long and proud history with Lord Howe Island and are pleased to be partnering with Skytrans to make sure the island continues to have a reliable air service as the Q200s are phased out of the QantasLink fleet.” Ms Yangoyan said.
“We have been working closely with Skytrans to secure a codeshare arrangement for these flights so our frequent flyers can continue to enjoy the benefits they know and love when flying with Qantas.
“Building on more than 30 years’ of services, we will continue to support both the island and Skytrans throughout the transition period, and into the future.”
Skytrans CEO Alan Milne said “Skytrans is honoured to be able to continue this essential air service and looks forward to working closely with the Lord Howe Island community to ensure a safe, reliable and customer focused operation continues.”
Skytrans has been awarded the licence to operate the regulated route to Lord Howe Island until March 2030.
Transition timeline
- Flights can be booked on Qantas.com or via travel agents throughout and after transition.
- Qantas Frequent Flyers will earn Status Credits and Qantas Points and have access to lounges in Sydney.
Present – 29 March 2025:
- QantasLink continues to operate its existing flights on the Q200 aircraft under its current license.
30 March – 25 February 2026 (transitional period):
- QantasLink continues to operate its existing flights on the Q200 aircraft, sharing the regulated route license with Skytrans.
- Skytrans pilots and cabin crew may be training or operating the QantasLink flights during this transition period.
26 February 2026 – March 2030 (end of licence):
- Skytrans will operate all flights to Lord Howe Island on the Q200 aircraft under its exclusive licence.
- Flights can be booked on Skytrans.com.au, through Qantas channels or travel agents.
About Skytrans
Skytrans is an Australian based passenger airline & a member of the world’s largest ACMI provider, Avia Solutions Group. It has been serving the Cape and the Torres Strait region for over thirty years and has extensive experience providing air service to remote and isolated communities.
Founded in 1990, the airline has over 200 staff, with head office in Cairns and regional offices in Brisbane, Townsville, Rockhampton and Horn Island.
Headquartered in Queensland, Skytrans currently operates a fleet of 13 regional aircraft including 7 Dash-8 aircraft, specialising in Regular Public Transport (RPT), charter services, and ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) operations across the Asia-Pacific region and Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait. The additional Q200 aircraft will take its fleet to 16.
Air services announcement
Dear Lord Howe Island residents,
The NSW Government will today announce its decision on the grant of a licence for the air service between Sydney and Lord Howe Island.
The outcome of the competitive market process run by Transport for NSW is that QantasLink will continue to operate the Sydney to Lord Howe Island route until 25 February 2026, at which time it will transition to Queensland-based regional airline Skytrans until March 2030. Both QantasLink and Skytrans are committed to a seamless and effective transition.
Skytrans will operate the Sydney to Lord Howe route on a codeshare basis with Qantas. Skytrans brings over 30 years of experience serving remote communities across Queensland, including Torres Strait islands. As part of the transition process, the QantasLink fleet of Dash 8 Q200 aircraft will be transferred to Skytrans to add to their existing fleet which includes Dash 8 100 and 300 aircraft.
The grant of the licence to QantasLink and Skytrans will ensure stability and continuity of this critical service for Lord Howe into the future.
An event is being held at 11.30am today at the Lord Howe Island Public Hall. We encourage you to attend to meet senior executives from Transport for NSW QantasLink and Skytrans and ask any questions that you may have about the transition.
More information can be found at these links:
- Media Release – Lord Howe Island and Moree air licences awarded
- Media Release – Lord Howe Island Flights – Qantas and Skytrans
A detailed transition plan will be prepared by QantasLink and Skytrans in consultation with the Lord Howe Island Board. We will continue to seek your input as part of that process.
Yours sincerely, Atticus Fleming and Robert Jeremy, Chair/Deputy Chair, Lord Howe Island Board
This article appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 31 October 2024.
