CQ Plane Spotting Historic Spot - Sunshine Express Airlines

Sunshine Express Airlines was a small regional airline owned by Aeromil Pacific that served many regional destinations on the East Coast of Australia from Biloela/Thangool to Port Macquarie. The airline's head office was at the Sunshine Coast Airport, however the majority of its services were in/out of Brisbane.

Sunshine Express Airlines commenced operations in October 1998 with a sole Embraer EMB-110 Banderantie VH-SJP operating between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Soon after, the airline took delivery of De Havilland DHC-6 VH-ZRP and another two Banderanties VH-TLH and VH-TLD.

During the early 2000's Sunshine Express went through a period of expansion, becoming a Qantas partner airline, and eventually taking delivery of a pair of Shorts 360 turbo-props VH-SEG and VH-SEO (which was ex-Sunstate Airlines VH-SUR).

More destinations were added to the Sunshine Express route network including Maryborough and Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast, and Biloela/Thangool in Central Queensland.

More aircraft were added to their fleet with Metro's VH-SEF, VH-SEY, VH-SEZ, VH-KDJ, and VH-KEX all noted operating for Sunshine Express at various times.  VH-SEF was noted carrying the name Biloela (as shown above at Biloela/Thangool Airport in 2003), while VH-KDJ and VH-KEX were both operated in a hybrid livery that included the colours of their former operator Regional Express (REX).

Sunshine Express also commenced flying services into New South Wales, including Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, and Armidale, as shown below on one of their last route maps.

Sunshine Express ceased all scheduled operations at the end of September 2006, when it decided to concentrate on charter operations.

Hervey Bay and Biloela/Thangool are now served by QantasLink. Coffs Harbour is now served by Brindabella Airlines. Port Macquarie was served by Brindabella Airlines but this service was discontinued at the end of 2010. Virgin Australia now serves this route. From May 2009 Tamworth is now served by Brindabella Airlines and from August 2011 Armidale was served by Brindabella Airlines but this has been suspended. Maryborough no longer has direct air service to Brisbane.

Hervey Bay Airport Fraser Coast - Some Information and Plane Spotting Photos

Brisbane-based plane spotter - and fan and contributor to the Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog - Brendan B has sent through some plane spotting photos he captured during a recent visit to Hervey Bay Airport.

Hervey Bay Airport (HVB, YHBA) is the main airport for Hervey Bay, as well as the Fraser Coast region of Queensland which also incorporates the nearby cities of Maryborough and Bundaberg.  The airport has one main runway designated 11/29 measuring 2000m × 30m.

The airport, which is located around 9km or 15 minutes from the Hervey Bay town centre, re-opened in mid-2005, after the existing airport underwent an $11.5 million upgrade, which included the construction of a new terminal building, and the extension of the existing 1500m runway to 2000m to accommodate jet services from Jetstar and Virgin Australia.

Up until September 2006, Sunshine Express Airlines provided daily services to Hervey Bay Airport from Brisbane. The airline ceased all scheduled operations in October 2006 after a proposed acquisition by Regional Express Airlines was terminated, and an intention by QantasLink for the introduction of Brisbane services was announced.

Currently, QantasLink operates between 2-4 daily return services to Hervey Bay from Brisbane each week with Dash-8-Q300 and Dash-8-Q400 aircraft.

QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-LQF

Virgin Australia also currently flys return daily jet services from Sydney with a mix of Embraer E-190 and Boeing B737 aircraft.

Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPH

In 2006, the airport was the fastest growing in Queensland with passenger numbers almost doubling. Currently, plans are underway to further upgrade the airport to handle more commercial and fly-in fly-out (FIFO) flights from Brisbane, Sydney, and possibly Melbourne. These plans involve the extension of the terminal to twice its current size, as well as a new cross runway (smaller than the main runway) to be used for general aviation purposes.

Seair Pacific Cessna 208 Caravan VH-VCW operates transfers to Lady Elliot Island and FIFO charters from Hervey Bay (File photo)

Seabird Aviation Australia Pty Ltd is a light aircraft manufacturer based at Hervey Bay Airport and is best known for designing, developing and certifying the SB7L-360 Seeker-2 multi-role utility aircraft manufactured for commercial or private use.

Seabird Aviation SB7L-360A VH-SZF at Hervey Bay Airport

Seabird Aviation SB7L-360A VH-SZF at Hervey Bay Airport

The official Seabird Aviation Australia Pty Ltd website can be located at:  http://www.seabirdaviation.com.au/ .

Also operating out of the Airport is Cessna 182 VH-DBP which is noted regularly flying and dropping thrill-seeking parachutists out over Hervey Bay.

Other aircraft spotted by Brendan during his visit to Hervey Bay Airport included Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-FDA along with Toowoomba-based Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron N581SR.

Some great photos from what looks like a lovely little regional airport in the far South of the Central Queensland region (ha ha!).  My sincere thanks to Brendan for sending through these great photos, and for his continuing support of the CQ Plane Spotting Blog!

Photos taken by Brendan Berry  ©