East Air (Australia) (Cairns) has sold its small-aircraft charter operations and assets, including its terminal in Cairns and part of its fleet, to Air Link (LZ, Dubbo), a subsidiary of Aviation Logistics Group, effective September 1.
Aviation Logistics Group CEO Matthew Kline told ch-aviation that the transfer covers two Cessna 208B Grand Caravans, VH-NXU (msn 208B2170) and VH-OUS (msn 208B0643); two Aero Commander 500-S aircraft, VH-YJI (msn 3130) and VH-KAV (msn 3164); and one Cessna 402C, VH-UCM (msn 402C0472), as well as staff linked to East Air's charter operations.
East Air, which was recently acquired by ex-Skytrans CEO Alan Milne, will continue as an operator, retaining its brand and two Beech 1900Ds, VH-JYA (msn UE-94) and VH-RUE (msn UE-53). The type will be deployed on a new regional public transport route (RPT) between Cairns and Hamilton Island, which is set to launch this November.
In an earlier interview with ch-aviation, Milne said he intends to grow the airline with two DHC-8-Q300s by year-end and another two in 2026, with the long-term aim of building an all-Dash 8 fleet spanning from the DHC-8-100 to the DHC-8-Q400. He stressed that the airline would continue prioritising long-term charter contracts while using RPT services to maintain a market presence.
According to the Australian aircraft register, Townsville Airlines (Cairns) - the legal entity and air operator's certificate holder trading as East Air - owns three C208Bs, two B1900Ds, three C402Cs, six 500-S, and one B200.
