Weekday flights will start at the end of the month and will depart Cairns earlier than the first Qantas flight, giving locals and business travellers a chance to spend more time in the region.
“We are also going to be returning to the NPA, with our Horn Island flight to then make a stop at Bamaga and then back to Horn, before returning to Cairns,” Skytrans CEO Alan Milne told Cape York Weekly.
“This will allow us to deliver freight and pick up freight from the NPA, as well as passengers who are happy to go to Cairns via Horn Island.”
Mr Milne said the airline was bringing back the service between Horn Island and Cairns to better service current customers on the outer islands.
“When you want to travel from Badu Island, or Darnley, for example, you can book one ticket and we’ll take you right through to Cairns,” the CEO said.
“This will make travel a lot easier and the flights are accessible under the Local Fare Scheme.”
Skytrans has also brokered a deal with the Rebel ferry so that passengers travelling to or from Thursday Island can book the route directly, including the ferry service.
The re-opened route will be serviced by a new Dash 8 plane that is expected to join the fleet in the coming weeks.
“We have been listening to the calls of the locals, as well as business travellers, who said they wanted Skytrans to return to the Horn Island-Cairns route,” Mr Milne said.
“We hope that the service is now supported so that it remains for many years to come.
“There are also some opportunities in the freight industry so please get in touch with us to see what we can offer you.”
The first Cairns-Horn flight will depart on Friday, July 30.
Tickets can now be booked online or through your local booking agent. See next week’s paper for the full Torres Strait schedule.
