Skytrans (QN, Cairns) has discontinued Cessna (single turboprop) C208B operations and ceased scheduled passenger services on routes that used them. Without prior notice, the airline axed flights to eleven Torres Strait islands earlier this month, leaving it to another operator, Hinterland Aviation (OI, Cairns), to fill the void.

Those flights operated to and from Skytrans' Horn Island base. They included scheduled services to Murray Island, Darnley Island, Yorke Island, Coconut Island, Yam Island, Saibai Island, Boigu Island, Mabuiag Island, Badu Island, Kubin Island and (Warraber) Sue Island. These islands are in a band of water that separates Australia from Papua New Guinea.

"Skytrans took this hard decision to mitigate risks and complexity of having single engine operations in combination with turboprops and jets," said Managing DIrector Gytis Gumuliauskas. "The market has the coverage of Torres Strait with other operators. We are tailoring RPT network and schedules, but there are no other cuts planned in terms of the fleet. We are looking to offer more capacity with our Dash 8 and A319-100 fleet to address regional market needs and support other carriers, including regional flying."

"The cessation of Skytrans services will undoubtedly have a profound impact on our communities, affecting not only travel but also vital connections for business and personal needs," said Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Phillemon Mosby. The Cairns Post newspaper said the decision to end the Torres Strait flights was done "on the quiet" and happened after talks with Northern Territory Air Services (Alice Springs) to take the routes.

Northern Territory Air Services CEO Ian Scheyer confirmed to ch-aviation that they were offered the opportunity to take over Skytrans' Horn Island operations. "Following a thorough due diligence process, we determined that the venture was not economically viable and did not align with our strategic objectives," he said.

Hinterland Aviation, another North Queensland-based passenger and charter carrier that flies C208Bs, is already operating on most of the affected routes and has agreed with Skytrans to transfer booked passengers across. "We're here for the long haul and dedicated to keeping our region connected," reads a May 2 Hinterland Aviation Facebook post. "We're honoured to continue serving the Torres Strait."

"Our decision to increase services in the Torres Strait was based purely on exceptionally strong growth in passenger demand," CEO Andrew Clair told ch-aviation. "We were seeing consistent week-on-week improvements, and adding more capacity was a clear next step to meet that momentum."

The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority aircraft register indicates Skytrans is the registered operator of five C208Bs: VH-FWX (msn 208B2298), VH-XDU (msn 208B2113), VH-UZC (msn 208B1220), VH-WZY (msn 208B1035), and VH-UZY (msn 208B0937).

ADS-B data indicates that three, VH-FWX, VH-WZY, and VH-UZY, remained in service with Skytrans until early May. VH-UZC ceased scheduled operations in April and VH-XDU ended scheduled flying in February. One, VH-WZY, is currently listed for sale.

Skytrans has built up a niche servicing North Queensland towns and islands with passenger and cargo flights. It was acquired by Avia Solutions Group in early 2024, an acquisition that sparked speculation about the future of Skytrans' scheduled services given that they are not normally part of the holding's business model.

Skytrans continues to operate scheduled services elsewhere in North Queensland with its fleet of five DHC-8-100s, two DHC-8-200s, and two DHC-8-300. It recently reached a deal with Qantas and the New South Wales state government to take over that airline's scheduled flights between Sydney and Lord Howe Island. Skytrans has also recently imported two A319s which it is offering to airline customers in the region on a wet-lease basis.