Nexus Airlines (Aviair) Dash-8-Q400 VH-8XC Starts FIFO Charter Flights to Moranbah Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 2 June, Western Australia based Nexus Airlines (Aviair) Dash-8-Q400 VH-8XC started a new Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights run between Brisbane and Moranbah Airport - as pictured below.

It flew up and back as CT865/6 and is due to return to Moranbah Airport again early on Wednesday 3 June as CT861/2 - as pictured below.

Of interest, VH-8XC flew across from Perth to Brisbane via Ayers Rock over the weekend as CT602 - as pictured below.

Nexus Airlines is an Australian regional airline based in Kununurra, Western Australia. A subsidiary of the HMC Group, it commenced operations in July 2023 and operates in Western Australia and formerly the Northern Territory.  This is its first foray outside of WA.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 2 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 05" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley on a reported training flight and a bit later, it departed to Canberra.

Photos taken by 'AC' and Dylan Hardie  ©

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 151" at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 6 May, Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 151" flew down from Mackay Airport to Bankstown.

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The sleek Citation bizjet - which has just undergone a major repaint - see photo above - flew up from Bankstown on Tuesday 5 May to Moranbah Airport and then Mackay Airport.

Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 131" flew up from Bankstown and Cessnock to Hamilton Island Airport before returning to Bankstown.

Linfox Express Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6500 bizjet VH-LEF departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne (Essendon).  It appears to have flown up from Essendon at the start of the week.

While Wrightsair / Wave Air (Whitsunday Tiger Moth Adventures) Cessna 208B Caravan VH-NGS flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Roma Airport and then Gunnedah and Wollongong (Shellharbour).

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 6 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-206 as "Stallion 31" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to a planned hold at Rockhampton Airport where it then completed a missed approach before then returning to Amberley.  

Late this afternoon RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft  A30-004 as "Wedgetail 13" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then one at Rockhampton Airport before then returning South.

New QantasLink Dash-Q400 Next Gen VH-84J (ex C-FQWE) First Flight into CQ at Gladstone Airport

On Sunday 12 April, recently delivered QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-84J completed its first revenue flight into CQ, with it touching down at Gladstone Airport as QLK2336/7 from and back to Brisbane. It had earlier flown up from Canberra after spending some time operating in the Southern states.

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VH-84J then returned to Gladstone Airport for an overnight stay as QLK2340. It is expected to leave early on Monday 13 April as QLK2329. It is scheduled to also then visit Bundaberg and Moranbah Airport later on Monday 13 April.

The second-hand Dash-8-Q400 is the tenth of 12 (or 14) aircraft that the Qantas Group has purchased from Canadian operator WestJet Encore. VH-84J previously operated as C-FQWE and operated with the airline from June 2014 until November 2025.

The Dash-8 arrived into Australia via Brisbane on Thursday 26 March - as shown below.  

It was promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register and also given the name 'Dubbo'.

Photos taken by Quentin Cowman, Vernon Harvey and James Saunders  ©

LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 Helicopter VH-XIA as "Rescue 599" Spotted at Clermont Hospital - Plus More!

Late on Thursday 19 March, LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 Helicopter VH-XIA as "Rescue 599" was spotted by me as it flew into Clermont Hospital on what we believe to be a medical retrieval flight.

It flew down from Townsville and Moranbah and then to Clermont Hospital before it then completed a medical evacuation flight to Mackay Airport. It then flew back to Townsville. This aircraft was at Longreach Airport last week - as posted below.

UPDATE!  On Monday 23 March, AW139 VH-XIA as "Rescue 599" flew down from Townsville to Archerfield via Mackay, Gladstone and Caloundra Airports.

Then on Friday 20 March, McDermott Aviation Bell 214B-1 BigLifter VH-SZV (ex P2-MBH) passed through Rockhampton Airport from the South to the North. 

UPDATE!  VH-SZV was spotted at Cooktown on Saturday 21 March.

Photo taken by Chris Vela  ©

And Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up to Hamilton Island from Archerfield. 

UPDATE!  On Saturday 21 March, VH-VTF departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.

Finally, also on Friday 20 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-206 as "Stallion 61" flew up the inland from RAAF Base Amberley via overhead Emerald to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport.  It then flew South to complete one more missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before then flying down to Amberley.

And Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-006 as "Wallaby 52" flew low level up the inland from Amberley to near Emerald before then flying East to near Bundaberg and then back to Amberley.

Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV Bizjet VH-MQX "Navair 131" Calls into Moranbah Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 10 March, Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX as "Navair 131" landed at Moranbah Airport from Bankstown.

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It was then due to fly to Mackay Airport but on departure had a technical problem and returned to Moranbah Airport - where it stayed!

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 10 March, RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH flew up from Toowoomba to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then to Bundaberg Airport before then flying back to Toowoomba.

Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-LYI flew into Middlemount Aerodrome from Lady Elliott Island and Rockhampton Airport before it then flew down to Maryborough Airport and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

And LifeFlight Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIU as "Guardian 10" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Kingaroy.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 11 March, VH-XIU "Guardian 10" flew up from Bundaberg Airport to Gladstone Airport and a bit later returned to Bundy.

Plus fellow LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIH flew up from Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport and then Gladstone Airport and then back to Bundaberg.

Photo taken by Neil Richardson  ©

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Pops into Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Saturday 31 January, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield.

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Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" flew from Archerfield to Moranbah Airport before then hopping down to Emerald Airport. It later returned to Archerfield.

It flew up with engineers to 'rescue' a couple of broken down QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 aircraft at both airports - VH-LQQ at Moranbah Airport and VH-84L at Emerald Airport.

While Flight One (Services) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-FOJ visited Gladstone Airport from Archerfield.

And Honeybee Air (Sydney) Cirrus SF50-G2 Vision Jet Arivee Xi VH-TEA flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to Roma Airport and Bankstown. It had arrived in the middle of last week and had also completed a couple of runs to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour over the previous couple of days.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

New QantasLink Dash-Q400 Next Gen VH-84L (ex C-FUWE) First Flight into CQ at Moranbah Airport on a FIFO Run

On Thursday 29 January, recently delivered QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-84L completed its first ever revenue flight, and it happened to be into CQ, with it touching down at Moranbah Airport on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight as QLK2812/3 from and back to Brisbane.

It had attempted to enter service on a flight from Brisbane to Wagga Wagga over last weekend but suffered a technical issue and returned back to Brisbane - as pictured above.  It then looked to complete a couple of test flights in the meantime.

The second-hand Dash-8-Q400 is the eighth of 12 (or 14) aircraft that the Qantas Group has purchased from Canadian operator WestJet Encore. VH-84L previously operated as C-FUWE and operated with the airline from September 2014 until May 2023.

The Dash-8 arrived into Australia via Brisbane on Sunday 3 August before then flying down to Canberra on Tuesday 13 January, with it still wearing its Canadian registration marking of C-FUWE, completing a delivery flight from Canada across the Pacific.

It was promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register and also given the name 'Bundaberg'.

UPDATE!  On Friday 30 January, VH-84L was planned to complete flights to Rockhampton, Miles and Moranbah Airports.

Photos taken by James Saunders, Darcy Stevens and Lloyd Fox  ©

Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV Bizjet VH-MQX "Navair 131" Calls into Moranbah - Plus More!

On Wednesday 14 January, Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX as "Navair 131" visited Moranbah Airport from Bankstown.

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And Careflight (NSW) Raytheon / Beech 400XT Nextant bizjet VH-OVS as "Careflight 46" landed at Longreach Airport from Newcastle (Williamtown) and then departed to Darwin.  It is due to head overseas to Bali later.

Photo taken by Neil Richardson  ©

Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 Bizjet N605JL Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 26 December, Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL as "Machflight 01" flew up from Sunshine Coast to Hamilton Island Airport and then West to Ayers Rock and then down to Brisbane.

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UPDATE!  On Saturday 27 December, N605JL again as "Machflight 01" returned to Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane before again flying out to Ayres Rock.

UPDATE!  On Monday 29 December, N605JL yet again as "Machflight 01" flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney before it then flew down to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 26 December, D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-VOF flew up from Adelaide and Kingscote to Charleville Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport.  It then hopped to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Ayers Rock and then across to Hamilton Island Airport before later returning to the Sunny Coast.

Finally, also on Friday 26 December, FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-NTL visited Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp. It is also due to visit Emerald Airport again from these places on Saturday 27 December.

The rare National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH visited Moranbah Airport from Brisbane.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE visited Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield. 

Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and departed to Brisbane.

Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run yet again to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQI, which was flying up from Gold Coast to Lady Elliott Island, was just to the South of there when they activated their Emergency Beacon, which was immediately heard by a passing Jetstar plane.  They also called a "Mayday" as their Engine Fire light came on. They assessed there was no actual trouble and continued to and landed safely at Lady Elliott Island.

UPDATE!  VH-TQI remained on Lady Elliott Island until Friday 2 December when it finally departed to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

Re-painted and Due for Scrapping - Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUG Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 18 December, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUG completed a run to Mackay Airport from and back to Brisbane as VOZ601/4.  As shown, VH-VUG has had its titles and livery mostly removed with reports suggesting that it is approaching the end of its lease and that it will leave Australia for good in the coming weeks.

VH-VUG had spent a few days in the paint-shop up at Townsville and emerged from there and re-entered service at the start of this week and will continue to operate during the Summer period 'rush'.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 20 January, VH-VUG departed Brisbane for Nadi, Fiji on the first leg of its final flight to storage and ultimately breaking up in the USA.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 18 December, Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 131" flew across from Moranbah Airport to Mackay Airport before then flying down to Brisbane and Bankstown. It appears to have arrived into Moranbah Airport early the previous day from Bankstown.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and Natal Downs.

UPDATE!  On Friday 19 December, VH-JSZ departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.

Falcon Air (NSW) Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet VH-LCR popped into Roma Airport while flying up from Bankstown to Cairns (pictured).

UPDATE!  On Monday 22 December, VH-LCR flew down from Cairns to Bankstown, again via Roma Airport.

While Mandalay Two P/L Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SCQ visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And Koolardie Aviation (ZephAir Australia) Raytheon 58 Baron VH-NSM as 'ZD550' visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Townsville.

Photos taken by Dylan Hardie and Jonathan Williams  ©

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 Bizjet VH-ZDM Spotted at Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 24 November, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM was spotted at Longreach Airport.

It looked to make possibly an unexpected arrival from Sydney and then departed to Mount Isa.

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 06" visited Moranbah Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Mitchell Water Australia Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to Miles Airport and then Mackay Airport before returning to Essendon and Moorabbin.

And Townsville Airlines (Flightech Air Logistics) Cessna 402C Utiliner/Businessliner VH-UCM visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns on the scheduled EA1/2 flight service for East Air.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 24 November, the resident Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE departed Bundaberg Airport for good following its latest deployment to Queensland where it was contracted to be the State's own heavy water bomber for the recently completed bushfire season.

It looked to fly down as "Bomber 141" to Melbourne (Avalon) Airport in Victoria.  It is to be reportedly based at Avalon Airport now for the Victorian bushfire season which coincides with the Queensland wet season.  It will take up a new radio callsign of "Bomber 390".

Of interest, fellow Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQF as "Fireguard 391" arrived into Brisbane and then Avalon after ferrying all the way over from Abbotsford in Canada.   It looks to be joining C-FFQE at Avalon for the Victorian bushfire season as "Bomber 391".

And before dawn, Microflite Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MF also departed Bundaberg Airport but for Melbourne (Moorabbin).  It has been operating the area as "Firescan 399".

Photo taken by Liam Sellick  ©

New QantasLink Dash-Q400 Next Gen VH-84O (ex C-GVWE) First Revenue Flight into CQ at Bundaberg Airport

On Wednesday 5 November, recently delivered QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-84O completed its first ever revenue flight, and it happened to be into CQ, with it touching down at Bundaberg Airport as QLK2970/1 from and back to Brisbane.

VH-84O departs Brisbane for Bundaberg Airport.

It then completed a run to Miles Airport and the Gladstone Airport, both also from and back to Brisbane, before then finishing the day back at Bundaberg Airport. VH-84O looks to be due to complete flights out of and then back into Bundaberg Airport, as well as Moranbah Airport, all on Thursday 6 November.

The second-hand Dash-8-Q400 is the eighth of 12 (or 14) aircraft that the Qantas Group has purchased from Canadian operator WestJet Encore. VH-84O previously operated as C-GVWE and operated with the airline from January 2015 until March 2024.

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The Dash-8 arrived into Australia via Brisbane on Saturday 25 October, still wearing its Canadian registration marking of C-GVWE, completing a delivery flight from Canada across the Pacific.

It was promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register and also given the name 'Birdsville'.

Photos taken by Daniel Gorza and Wally H  ©

ASL Airlines Australia Boeing B737-800(BCF) VH-CYK Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 17 September, ASL Airlines Australia Boeing B737-800(BCF) VH-CYK was noted visiting Mackay Airport.

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It arrived from and then later departed back to Cairns as "PARTEC9801/2".

Of interest, ASL Airlines Australia recently took delivery of their second Boeing B737-800(BCF) VH-RAN which was delivered via Brisbane as 2-BTPO.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 17 September, Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-PAC flew down from Mareeba to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It then flew up to Innisfail but then looked to return to Prosie and then later fly back to Mareeba.  VH-PAC arrived into Far North Queensland over the weekend just gone.

Southern Air Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-APJ landed at Blackall Airport from Dalby.

Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-BMW flew up from Melbourne (Tullamarine) to the Sunshine Coast and then Hamilton Island Airport before then returning South.

Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL visited Moranbah Airport from the Sunshine Coast via Brisbane.

Indara Holdings / Corporate and Luxury Air Charter Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 VH-8RT flew up from Deniliquin, Swan Hill and Archerfield to Mackay Airport before then heading back to Archerfield

While FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-NTL completed the Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It also planned to complete a similar flight Thursday 18 September.

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Mackay and Townsville Airports.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 18 September, VH-ZMW returned South via Mackay and Rockhampton Airports to Brisbane.

And school holiday charter flights have starting ferrying students home to locations in Far North Queensland including National Jet Express (NJE) Dash-8-Q400 VH-8QA which arrived into Rockhampton Airport.  While out at Charters Towers Aerodrome, Cessna 208 Caravans VH-NXU and VH-OUS have flown from Cairns and out to Palm Island, Mareeba and Cooktown, plus Machjet's King Air VH-??? as "Machflight 313" also arrived from Cairns but departed to Doomadgee.

Finally, late on Tuesday 16 September, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ as "Rescue 500" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and dropped off a passenger, refuelled and then returned to Archerfield. 

Then on Wednesday 17 September, LifeFlight Leonardo SPA Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIR arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bundaberg Airport.  It parked up at the Alliance Airlines Hangar and will be there for a while. 

Photos taken by Lloyd Fox and Tony Haynes  ©

New QantasLink Dash-Q400 Next Gen VH-84N (ex C-FWEZ) First Flight into CQ at Moranbah Airport on a FIFO Run

On Thursday 14 August, recently delivered QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-84N completed its first ever revenue flight, and it happened to be into CQ, with it touching down at Moranbah Airport on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight as QLK2810/1 from and back to Brisbane.  It had earlier flown up on a positioning flight from Canberra.

The second-hand Dash-8-Q400 is the sixth of 12 (or 14) aircraft that the Qantas Group has purchased from Canadian operator WestJet Encore. VH-84N previously operated as C-FWEZ and operated with the airline from December 2014 until June 2023.

The Dash-8 arrived into Australia via Brisbane on Sunday 3 August before then flying down to Canberra on Monday 4 August, with it still wearing its Canadian registration marking of C-FWEZ, completing a delivery flight from Canada across the Pacific.

It was promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register and also given the name 'Devonport'.

UPDATE!  On Friday 15 August, VH-84N flew back into the region, passing through Rockhampton and Mackay Airports while flying up from Brisbane to Townsville and Cairns.

Photos taken by 'AC', Darcy Stevens and Dylan Hardie  ©

Skytrans Airlines (now SmartLynx Australia) Starts Flights to Moranbah Airport from Cairns with Dash-8-100 VH-QQI

On Monday 30 June, Skytrans Airlines started flying between Cairns and Moranbah Airport with the first flight being operated by Dash-8-100 VH-QQI as SKP101/2.

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The flights are only Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights and operate each Monday and Tuesday.

At the time of writing, VH-QQI was due to fly back to Moranbah Airport twice from and back to Cairns on Tuesday 1 July as SKP103/4/5/6.

UPDATE!  In late July, Skytrans, part of the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider Avia Solutions Group, will now be known as SmartLynx Australia.  Avia Solutions Group acquired Skytrans in March 2024.

UPDATE!  From Monday, 22 September, SmartLynx Australia, in partnership with Whitehaven Coal, opened part of its FIFO charter services to the public, providing new travel opportunities for the Moranbah community. Ten seats on selected services between Cairns and Moranbah are available for community members at a fare of $299 each way.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Brenzil Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X Bizjet VH-CRW Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 12 June, Brenzil Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X bizjet VH-CRW visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

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FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-NTL completed the Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It also completed a similar flight late on Wednesday 11 June.

Mabena P/L (Wagga Air Centre) EADS SOCATA TBM 700 VH-8NX visited Rockhampton Airport from Bankstown. 

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 12 June, it was noted that the Qantas/QantasLink Embraer E-190 flights have started using the callsign "Qlink" and the Aerlink ATR-72s have started using the "Aerolink" callsign plus flight numbers with the code 'AL'. 

Finally, Skytrans Airlines recently commenced operations out of Sydney to Lord Howe Island operating Dash-8-Q200 aircraft acquired from Qantas/QantasLink.  The first flight operated with a Skytrans flight number and callsign was on Saturday 10 May.

The acquired aircraft include VH-TQG which looked to position to Sydney from Cairns via Roma Airport on Wednesday 11 June.

The other aircraft acquired by Skytrans are VH-TQS and VH-TQX and we reckon could definitely make an appearance on the airline's flights from Cairns to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - as well as Moranbah Airport with scheduled services from Cairns recently announced to start in July.

The Moranbah Airport flights will be operated by Dash-8-100/200 aircraft with the proposed schedule showing 3 weekly flights starting from Monday 30 June.

Photo taken by Emily C  ©

Executive Jet Management (Europe) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign Bizjet CS-IMP Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 13 April, a nice overseas corporate bizjet in the form of Executive Jet Management (Europe) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet CS-IMP was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport.  It looked to fly in from Darwin as 'JME680C' and had arrived there from overseas the previous day.

Tommy Clarke / https://www.flickr.com/

UPDATE!   On Wednesday 16 April, CS-IMP still as 'JME680C' departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.  It looked to head to New Zealand a couple of days later.

While Isle of Man registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 bizjet M-CVGL departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Sunshine Coast and then Melbourne (Essendon). As mentioned below, it had arrived into Hamo from the Sunny Coast last Saturday 6 April.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before then later flying down to the Gold Coast.

And after dark, Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ was due to complete a visit to Moranbah Airport from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 13 April, Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) new Cessna 208 Caravan P2-AFD departed Bundaberg Airport for Mackay Airport and then Mareeba.

Vectra Holdings (Basair) Cessna 206 VH-VDZ visited Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

Plus a classic 1948-built Cessna 195 VH-AVZ was photographed visiting Bundaberg Airport during the week.

https://www.facebook.com/Bundaberg.Aviation.Fuel

Finally, also on Sunday 13 April, Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-8HD departed Rockhampton Airport for Townsville, Cairns, Coen and Horn Island. It had arrived from the Sunshine Coast the previous day.

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 Jet VH-NUO Final Day of Operations and Flights into Some CQ Airports plus Unsuccessful Flight to Moranbah Airport

On Wednesday 2 April, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet VH-NUO has reportedly completed its final flights for the airline in Australia of which some were to some Central Queensland Airports operating on behalf of Virgin Australia Airlines.

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It completed the VOZ1255/8 run to Emerald Airport and then the VOZ1239/40 run to Rockhampton Airport. It then looked to depart Brisbane as UTY8464 on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) flight to Moranbah Airport but it returned to Brisbane with a technical problem.

VH-NUO has subsequently been spotted at Brisbane Airport now with engines removed and in open storage.

New QantasLink Dash-Q400 Next Gen VH-84E (ex C-FNEN) First Revenue Flight into CQ at Moranbah Airport

On Thursday 27 March, recently delivered QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-84E completed its first ever revenue flight, and it happened to be into CQ, with it touching down at Moranbah Airport as QLK2458/7 from and back to Brisbane.

The second-hand Dash-8-Q400 is the third of 12 (or 14) aircraft that the Qantas Group has purchased from Canadian operator WestJet Encore. VH-84E previously operated as C-FNEN and operated with the airline from October 2013 until October 2024.

The Dash-8 arrived into Australia via Brisbane on Saturday 15 March, still wearing its Canadian registration marking of C-FNEN, completing a delivery flight from Canada across the Pacific.

It was promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register and also given the name 'Launceston'.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 28 March, it seems that VH-84E is planned to make two visits into Bundaberg Airport.

Photos taken by James Saunders, Bill Wong and Tim Martin  ©

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-HQK Pops into Rockhampton Airport Again! - Plus More!

On Tuesday 11 February, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-HQK was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Dubbo.  The (becoming) frequent visitor later looked to return back to Dubbo.

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While Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.  It then flew up to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 13 February, VH-SHI "Navair 173" departed Rockhampton Airport for Toowoomba and Archerfield.

And Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ made a late visit into Moranbah Airport from Archerfield and Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 11 February, Meandarra Aerial Spraying Ayres S2R-G10 Turbo Thrush VH-NFN arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the South.  It sounded like the locally-based R-Mach Aviation may have hired it for a while. 

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport, Bundaberg Airport and then Archerfield. 

And Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO flew up from Devonport to Archerfield then up to Townsville before then completing three return flights from there to Charters Towers Aerodrome.  It then returned to Archerfield late in the afternoon.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©