Friday, April 17, 2009

Bamaga flights to start

The regional carrier will initially offer three flights a week from May 18 on a 36-seat Dash 8, increasing later to five flights.

Skytrans chief executive Simon Wild said the airline had serviced many Cape communities including Coen, Lockhart River and Aurukun for several years.

"After the highly successful introduction of air services to Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama in February, it was clear to us that there was a need for a connection to the Northern Peninsula Area," Mr Wild said.

"We consulted with the communities and stakeholders and upon gaining their support, worked quickly to make it happen."

The new schedule offers more than 14,000 seats a year with flights eventually operating daily from Monday to Friday.

"We have listened to our customers and taken on board their needs," Mr Wild said.

"For example, Skytrans passengers will now be able to travel with their pets which will be consigned as freight.

"We also have increased the baggage allowance by 5kg free of charge for the first three months of operation, taking the total to 25kg per passenger."

The new service takes to 25 the destinations serviced by Skytrans throughout regional Queensland.

The announcement follows the recent introduction of services to Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw and Cooktown.