Skytrans TWB-SYD

[Jarden S]

SKYTRANS has announced it will provide daily flights between Toowoomba and Sydney starting as early as March.

The Cairns-based airline had planned to operate two flights a day, but that has been downscaled to one flight due to the impact Queensland's mining boom has had on its capacity.

Mayor Peter Taylor yesterday confirmed with Skytrans executives that the airline's management had approved the regular weekday passenger flights.

"These regular airline services out of Toowoomba to and from Sydney are what our community has been calling for," he said.

"They will provide immeasurable opportunities for Toowoomba both from an economic and social point of view."

Cr Taylor said Skytrans' announcement validated Toowoomba Regional Council's decision to upgrade the city's airport.

That cost just less than $10million with the State Government contributing $4.7million.

"Now we're seeing the fruits of that delivery," Cr Taylor said.

Skytrans general manager Michael Thinee said the decision to proceed with one flight a day was "not ideal", but welcomed the chance to start the service.

The airline will offer one flight a day using 36 or 50-seat Dash-8 planes.

Seats are expected to cost about $350 one way.

The proposal still has to get final shareholder approval

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story...t-to-take-off/

[Andrew Johnson]

If Toowoomba too short what about Oakey Army Aviation Centre ? Is only 20 mins, 30kms from Toowoomba.

Think the runway there is about 1650m & has a small terminal apparently.

Macair used to fly ATR42-500's there, but from BNE.

[Mick F]

Don't believe they did, SAAB 340's were the biggest Macair used. Skytrans have used Dash 8's. However Oakey does not like the RPT traffic. So very very unlikely they'd let regular RPT traffic in there.

Mick

[lloyd fox]

The Macair ATR42 was based in TSV and never operated to BNE so i assume never made it to Oakey or TWB.

[Steve S... 2]

The fares are outrageous - approx $700 return?

Will they succeed with fares like that.

[Andrew Johnson]

Not that outrageous. Business types (at least those who don't pay their own fares ) & public servants will use & there was something in the press article about miners using the flights.

There's a coal mine I think it is at Mcalister, which can't be that far away, maybe hours drive.

Qantas's full economy fare BNE/SYD is something like $392 one way.

& when using a 36 seater, not good economies of scale.

[Jarden S]

Skytrans today announced a new service to operate between Toowoomba and Sydney. Toowoomba is one of Australia’s largest inland regional centres, and plays an integral role in servicing the agricultural and mining industries in Queensland’s mid-West.
Skytrans Managing Director, Simon Wild, confirmed the new services today whilst on a visit to Toowoomba, stating that flights are planned to commence in July 2012.
“The local business Community have lobbied for these services for some time, so it is our great pleasure, after many months of due diligence, to make this announcement here in Toowoomba.”
Initially there will be six return flights weekly to Sydney, increasing to ten in the first year of operation. Notably there will be an opportunity to depart Toowoomba in the morning, and return again in the evening after conducting a day’s business in Sydney.
“We listened to and paid close attention to the requirements of the local business Community in creating a schedule we hope will meet the needs of most people, whilst allowing for expansion.”
Morning arrival slots into Sydney airport are in great demand, and our schedule has been partially dictated by the best times we were able to secure. Having said that, Sydney Airport are also very excited about a brand new regional destination being added to their routes.
Skytrans, an airline well known in regional Queensland for its Community services, plans to bring a greater level of involvement in the region.
“We have a great history of meaningfully contributing to the Communities we fly to throughout Queensland, and although we already have established interests in Toowoomba, these new services will allow us to increase that level of involvement,” continued Mr Wild.
Skytrans intend to recruit cabin crew from the Toowoomba region initially with a medium term aim to base flight crews, engineers and aircraft in Toowoomba. Critical to this outcome will be support from the greater community in utilising these services.
Pricing and final schedule will be released during April 2012.
Skytrans is a Queensland owned company with 20 years of operating history and a fleet of Dash-8 aircraft flying to 23 ports around Queensland on scheduled and charter services. All flights feature full in-flight service, movies, and quality catering.
http://www.skytrans.com.au/PDFs/MR_Mar_2012.pdf

[David B.]

Skytrans has confirmed its new Toowoomba - Sydney service will commence 02JUL. Schedule is as follows:

TWB/SYD 07:15L/09:30L Q60014 Mon/Wed/Thu
SYD/TWB 10:15L/12:30L Q60015 Mon/Wed/Thu

TWB/SYD 13:45L/16:00L Q60016 Tue/Wed/Fri
SYD/TWB 16:45L/19:00L Q60017 Tue/Wed/Fri

Once daily Monday through Friday with a second service on Wednesdays. Services will be operated by a Dash-8 300 which is expected to be based in Toowoomba.

Fares start at $149 each way.

Congrats SYD and TWB!

[Brandon Giacomin]

Dash 8-300 VH-QQM is on it's way down to Sydney operating the inaugural service.