Skytrans (QN, Cairns) received its amended Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) CASA.AOC.0042 from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on February 26, 2025, allowing it to begin regional operations with narrowbody aircraft.
Skytrans took delivery of its first A319-100 in December 2024. VH-L7A (msn 1779) was added to the Australian register on December 20, 2024, five days after it arrived in the country. The 22.6-year-old aircraft, which is owned by sister company AviaAM Leasing, was first delivered to Alitalia in August 2002, and was later transferred to ITA Airways. The unit is configured with 144 seats in an all-economy layout.
The A319 will be used on ACMI and charter operations in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, the airline said in a press release. However, a Skytrans spokesperson declined to provide details on upcoming contracts. Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows that VH-L7A has been operating proving flights in Australia under the carrier's QN code since December 27, 2024.
Skytrans was acquired by Avia Solutions Group in March 2024.
Along with the A319, the airline also operates five DHC-8-100s, one DHC-8-300, one DHC-8-Q300, and five Cessna (single turboprop) C208Bs, according to the ch-aviation fleets module. Those aircraft were operated under the previous version of the AOC and predate the acquisition by Avia Solutions Group. The Australian carrier deploys this fleet on scheduled flights to 19 airports in Queensland, primarily within North Queensland and the Cape York Peninsula region. It also operates freight and charter services, including contracted fly-in-fly-out charters. In addition, the airline recently secured a New South Wales government tender to operate scheduled Sydney-Lord Howe Island flights from early 2026, taking over from Qantas. The airline is the only subsidiary of the group operating scheduled passenger flights.
