Airline boosts links in region

SKYTRANS will start flying directly between Cairns and Cooktown in a major boost of its services across the Far North.

The regional airline is set to announce today that it will launch 43 new passenger flights each week across the region, including four new routes and two new destinations.

From April 20, Skytrans will operate 14 return flights per week between Cairns and Cooktown, five return flights between Cairns and Weipa, three one-way flights per week between Weipa and Horn Island and two one-way flights per week between Cooktown and Weipa.

Currently, Cairns-Cooktown has been serviced only by Hinterland Aviation, using single-prop Cessna aircraft.

Skytrans chief executive Tim Healee said it would be the first time a high-capacity airline would service Cooktown residents.

“Feedback from businesses and the travelling public was very clear,” he said.

“Our customers want to travel to Cooktown and Weipa with the comfort of an airliner instead of a small single-engine aircraft, so that’s exactly what we will be doing.

“It’s time to bring a real airline service to Cooktown and that’s just what our passengers will get. Our Dash 8 aircraft offers in-flight services and toilet facilities together with our pressurised cabin and cargo capacity.”

Cook Shire Council chief executive Linda Cardew said the additional flights between Cairns and Cooktown, with the added link to Weipa, fitted with the council’s long-term plans to move the region forward.

“Council is investing in upgrades across our aerodrome network, particularly our major airport out of Cooktown, and welcomes the support of new businesses such as Skytrans,” she said.

Cairns Airport chief executive Norris Carter said air travel was vital for communities across the region. “These expanded aviation routes directly benefit the lives of the people in those communities, and their local economies,” he said.