QantasLink announces Classic Dash-8 retirement, additional Dash-8-400 orders

[Lauren J]

Qantas Group has announced today that the Classic Dash-8 aircraft (-200/-300) will be gradually phased out, being replaced by 14 mid-life Dash-8-400s.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/me...%20year%202024.

Any additional information or thoughts welcome.

[Brenden S]

Big question is Lord Howe Island is serviced by Qlink until 2025, so what is going to do that service?

[Lauren J]

Originally Posted by Brenden S

Big question is Lord Howe Island is serviced by Qlink until 2025, so what is going to do that service?

Have QF announced that they’re exiting that market? Would be a shame if so; the only competitor is Eastern Air Services using a KingAir.

[Brenden S]

No mention yet. At the end of the day the runway needs to be extended.

[Kent Broadhead]

Originally Posted by Brenden S

No mention yet. At the end of the day the runway needs to be extended.

The 2018 LHIB analysis showed the runway extension proposal was not economically viable, with RPT using newer aircraft (ATR42S specifically mentioned) noted as the best option economically.

It will be interesting to see what comes of the current RFT. Sort of sad to see the -200 go, but that's life.

[Zac M]

Lord Howe Island is a service operated under contract to the NSW Government I believe, if QantasLink were to exit the market at the end of the current contract then someone else will operate it.

[Brenden S]

https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/new...owe-island-air

UP for tender now. At a guess QF is not going to tender for it since the Q400 can't make it in there.

[Greg Hyde]

Current license expires 29 March 2025

[MarkR]

Skytrans to Lord Howe ?

[Lauren J]

I think it would be nice if QF bought a handful of Pilatus PC-12s, Tecnam P2012s, Cessna SkyCouriers, De Havilland DHC-6-400s, or another next-gen light commuter to replace the Dash-8-200.

Qantas has historically operated smaller types (Cessna 404, DHC-6, JS-31, etc.) and it would be a great way for the airline to funnel new cadet pilots into the group without placing them on 25 tonne airliners (eg. DH8D) straight away.

They could initially be used for the obvious LDH and MRZ flights, but also as a short-haul connector between existing QF ports (SYD-NTL, BNE-OOL, LST-HBA, etc.). A great way to allow higher pax loyalty and market capture throughout their network. There are five Qantas ports within a 70nm radius of Brisbane alone (MCY, WTB, BNE, OOL, BNK). Same with SYD, NTL, WOL, and WSI. These airports will benefit from connectivity and a 10-20 seater is the perfect aircraft size to do it. There are dozens of smaller cities that would benefit from a Qantas commuter aircraft.

Just a thought.