Aerlink (Brisbane International) has started operating flights for Qantas Freight (Sydney Kingsford Smith). ADS-B flight tracking data shows the charter operator started flying a Mackay-Rockhampton-Brisbane International-Rockhampton-Mackay rotation 4x weekly using an ATR72-200(F) in late June.

The same data indicates that a single aircraft, VH-AK3 (msn 0467), has been tasked to the job. An Aerlink spokesperson confirmed the flights but was unable to provide specifics on the contract's terms, saying however that the agreement is a multi-year contract with options to extend.

Qantas Freight is a major user of third-party airlines to service its schedules and maintains existing contracts with National Jet Express, ASL Airlines Australia, Atlas Air, and Airwork Flight Operations, among others.

Aerlink, formerly known as Hevilift Australia, is a charter operator specialising in fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) flights, freight services, and ad hoc passenger charters. Its nine-strong fleet includes one ATR42-300(F), two ATR72-500(F)s, and six ATR72-500s.