Skytrans is an airline and air charter business based in Cairns, Queensland. The airline operates RPT (Regular Public Transport) and charter services from Cairns, Horn Island, and Brisbane.
On March 31, 2015, two months after being placed into administration, the company returned to the skies. As of March 2024, it is owned by European based Avia Solutions Group.[1]
History
Skytrans was founded by David and Sue Barnard in October 1990 as a charter airline, and began scheduled flights in 1993.[2] In November 2000, Skytrans merged with AirSwift Aviation, another small regional airline based in Cairns.[3] In June 2001, Skytrans took over services to Cooktown and Karumba from MacAir Airlines.[3] In January 2005, the airline began to operate in competition with QantasLink on the Cairns to Townsville route, operating from its own terminals in both cities.[3]
In December 2006, the airline was acquired from its founders by Australian Aviation Holdings, owner of Queensland Regional Airlines (QRA) and Inland Pacific Air. Skytrans and QRA subsequently merged under the Skytrans Regional brand.[3][4]
Late in 2014, the carrier had sought to reduce costs by cutting its workforce of 200 employees by over half while trimming its fleet of seven Dash 8-100s and three Dash 8-300s.[5]
Skytrans suspended operations with effect from 2 January 2015 when it was placed in voluntary administration. In a statement, Managing Director Simon Wild blamed the worsening Australian dollar currency exchange rate, coupled with a tough operating environment – worsened by the loss of three Queensland regulated regional air routes in late 2014. The end of operations came a day after the carrier marked its 25th anniversary of Queensland services - outback and regional Queensland, the Gulf country, and Cape York services in particular on 2 January 2015.[6][5]
On 31 March 2015, Skytrans returned to the skies under the ownership of Collings Holdings Airlines owned by Peter Collings, who also owns West Wing Aviation, and Rugby League player Johnathan Thurston.[7][8]
In January 2024, Avia Solutions Group announced its intention to acquire ownership of Skytrans,[9] with the acquisition completed in March 2024. [10]
Skytrans has delivered multimillion-dollar sponsorships and endorsements to communities in Queensland, donating to more than 250 organisations.[16] Skytrans is a major sponsor of the Cairns Taipans in the National Basketball League and has supported various causes such as AFL Kickstart, Choice Business Australia, The Queensland Cancer Council, and Harold's House.
