QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQE Operates Final Qantas Flight to Biloela / Thangool Airport

On Tuesday 31 January, the final Qantas flight in and out of Biloela / Thangool Airport was operated by QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQE.  It operated the morning QLK390/393 service from and back to Brisbane.

QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-SBB at Biloela / Thangool Airport  (File photo)

QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-SBB at Biloela / Thangool Airport  (File photo)

This marked the end of Qantas Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) services to Biloela / Thangool Airport after the airline announced the cancellation of the service in December last year.

A Qantas spokesperson said the "very tough decision" was made due to low passenger numbers.

Qantas has operated eight return flights per week on the route since late 2015, flying the 50-seat QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 aircraft to and from Biloela / Thangool Airport at least once each day except Saturday.

Fortunately for local travellers though, soon after the announcement that Qantas were cutting services, one of Australia's newest regional airlines, Fly Corporate (Corporate Air) announced that they would start (take over) flights to and from Biloela / Thangool Airport from Wednesday 1 February.

The Fly Corporate schedule will offer afternoon return flights from Brisbane on Mondays and Fridays and morning return services every weekday. They will also offer a Sunday afternoon return service.

A Fly Corporate SAAB 340 at Clermont Aerodrome (File photo)

Fly Corporate will operate 34-seat SAAB 340B Plus turbo-prop aircraft - a comfortable pressurised aircraft offering similar comfort and performance to the Dash-8-Q300.