Airline and Aircraft Changes in the Whitsundays - Jetstar Moves to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport only - Qantas moves to Hamilton Island Airport only

Over the weekend, big changes have happened at the Whitsundays Airport with a shuffle of Qantas Group airlines between the two nearby Airports - Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and Hamilton Island (Great Barrier Reef) Airport.

Jetstar Australia Airlines has officially ceased operating into Hamilton Island and moved entirely to Proserpine.

The final Jetstar flight at Hamilton Island Airport takes off.

Jetstar has also upsized some of its flights including the daily JST840/1 service from and back to Sydney to an Airbus A321 aircraft.  On Sunday 26 October, VH-VWW (delivered May 2009) operated the flight - and it was back on Monday 27 October too.

VH-VWW arrives into Proserpine Airport from Sydney.

Meanwhile, Qantas and QantasLink flights have gone from Prosie and now their B737-800s and QantasLink Airbus A220s will fly between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and Hamo.

The final Qantas/QantasLink flight - an E-190 - at Proserpine Airport.

Awesome news that both airlines will add additional flights to the region, which will result in more than 2,300 new low fare seats on Jetstar routes to Proserpine every week and a new Qantas service from Melbourne to Hamilton Island.

Qantas (QantasLink) will also commence flying its new Airbus A220 to Hamilton Island Airport for the first time from both Brisbane and Melbourne. These are operated by National Jet Systems.  

On Sunday 26 October, A220 VH-X4G 'Whale Shark' (delivered May 2025) operated as QLK1596/7 from and back to Melbourne (Tullamarine), while VH-X4E 'Tasmanian Devil' (delivered November 2024) operated as QLK1592/3 from and back to Brisbane.

VH-X4G arrives into Melbourne (Tullamarine)  (File photo)

The A220s will replace Alliance Airlines-operated Embraer E-190 regional jets on the Brisbane services.

UPDATES!!  Over the next week, there were numerous 'first visits' into Central Queensland (from what we know) by the Jetstar Airways Airbus A321 aircraft into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and QantasLink (National Jet Systems) Airbus A220 aircraft into Hamilton Island Airport.  Here is a list...

On Monday 27 October, A220 VH-X4F 'Rainbow Lorikeet' (delivered March 2025) operated as QLK1592/3 at Hamo from and back to Brisbane.

On Tuesday 28 October, A321 VH-VWN (delivered December 2016) operated as JST840/1 at Prosie from and back to Sydney.

On Wednesday 29 October, A220 VH-X4B 'Koala' (delivered January 2024) operated as QLK1592/3 at Hamo from and back to Brisbane.

And on Friday 31 October, A321 VH-VWX (delivered May 2009) operated as JST840/1 at Prosie from and back to Sydney, while A220 VH-X4D 'Platypus' (delivered September 2024) operated as QLK1596/7 at Hamo from and back to Melbourne (Tullamarine).

Plus, we have noticed that E-190s have been substituted on some Brisbane services in particular in the subsequent weeks.

Fortescue Metals Group (FMG Air) Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 7500 Bizjet VH-FMG Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 24 October, FMG Air P/L (Fortescue Metals Group) Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 7500 bizjet VH-FMG was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

It looked to arrive from Cairns and then depart to Sydney.

While Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock and the Gold Coast to Mackay Airport and then Emerald Airport before returning to the Gold Coast.

And Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" made a late Visit to Cloncurry Airport from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 24 October, Meandarra Aerial Spraying Air Tractor AT-802 VH-8WU was spotted as it prepared to depart Rockhampton Airport as "Bomber 420" for Gladstone Airport via airwork near Calliope. 

It later returned to Rockhampton Airport via a landing and take off at the local Ski Gardens.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 25 October, VH-8WU "Bomber 420" went to Gladstone Airport again for the day and back to Rocky in the arvo.

While Machjet International Hawker Beechcraft (Beech) B200 King Air VH-8UY as "Machflight 242" visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Cairns.

And the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PH visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Neil Richardson  ©

Flexjet LLC (USA) Gulfstream G650ER Bizjet N673FX as 'LXJ673' / "Flexjet 673" Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 23 October, Flexjet LLC (USA) Gulfstream G650ER bizjet N673FX as 'LXJ673' / "Flexjet 673" was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Tullamarine).

File photo

It then flew down to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 23 October, Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-EJT flew up from Bankstown to Hamilton Island Airport and then also down to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Christopher Mabbott  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-002 "Envoy 87" Spotted at Bundaberg Airport

On Thursday 23 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-002 flying  as "Envoy 87" came up from Canberra and Coffs Harbour to Bundaberg Airport.

It then departed to Hamilton Island Airport and then later to Townsville where it appears to be staying for the night.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 October, RAAF Falcon A56-002 as "Envoy 87" flew down from Townsville to complete a missed approach at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before then flying down to overhead Emerald and Rockhampton to then land at Gladstone Airport. 

A bit later it departed Gladstone Airport for the Gold Coast and further south back to Canberra via Tamworth.

Photo taken by Daniel Gorza  ©

Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N247JB Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 22 October, Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N247JB arrived into Rockhampton Airport at the end of a delivery flight as 'SXI2542' / "Southern Cross 2542".

It arrived from Brisbane having started its delivery flight at San Jose (Costa Rica) and flying via Oakland, Hawaii and the Marshall Islands.

File photo

As shown, N247JB was delivered in full Alliance Airlines livery and looks to be going to be placed on the Australian Aircraft register as VH-A2J - as shown on the front of the aircraft.

N247JB was promptly parked inside the Alliance Airlines hangar at Rockhampton Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 22 October, Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208B Caravan VH-KNQ was spotted on the run between Mackay Airport and the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It flew down from Townsville to Labona and then across to Mackay Airport and back to Labona and Townsville.

Of interest, on Tuesday 21 October, VH-KNQ flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport and then out to Labona and back to Mackay Airport and then Townsville.

Hinterland Aviation has been completing this run between Townsville, Mackay and Labona for some time now.

The Cessna 208B Caravan VH-KNQ was acquired by Hinterland Aviation in December 2024 and this is the first time we have certainly spotted the Caravan in CQ - although I think it has visited the region once before!

SmartLynx Australia Dash-8-100 VH-QQB as SKP531 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville while fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQC departed Rockhampton Airport to Townsville as SKP532.

ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT as 'ZD220' visited Clermont Aerodrome from Townsville.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 06" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.  It then departed to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 October, VH-PIY again as "Machflight 06" looked to fly into Mackay Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane before then departing up to Ingham.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 October, VH-PIY 'MC06' popped into Maryborough Airport from Ingham and Townsville before departing to the South.

Mitchell Water Australia Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Stawell to the Gold Coast before then continuing up the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It later flew back direct to Moorabbin.

Brisbane-based Australian Agricultural Company Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAC landed at Goonoo Feedlot from Dalgonally Station.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 October, VH-AAC departed Goonoo Feedlot for Brisbane.

Stirling Helicopters Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-EQD flew up from Archerfield to Rockhampton Airport before then flying down to Caboolture and then back to Archerfield.

And Orange Helicopters operated Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N711BF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Caboolture and Bundaberg Airports.  It parked on Taxiway Charlie.

It joins the locally-based Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ which as mentioned below arrived back into Rockhampton Airport yesterday!

Photos taken by Michael Malick, Nick Dean, 'AC' and Neil Richardson  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-005 "Mitchel 07" Noted Completing Airwork at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 22 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Mitchel 07" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a low overshoot Rockhampton Airport before then flying back to Williamtown.

File photo

Also this week, Australian Army new Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopters have been noted flying out of the Oakey Army Aviation Centre heading North and landing occasionally at Kingaroy Aerodrome including N52-105 as "Warhorse 31".

Defence Image...

We have also noticed N52-103 as "Juno 75" and N52-102 as "Juno 76".

The Australian Army has a fleet of five H135 'Juno' training helicopters which were re-assembly at HMAS Albatross. The helicopters were re-assembled by Boeing Defence Australia before being relocated to the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey to support essential training for Army aircrew. The addition of these five helicopters will address a critical requirement to meet the training and proficiency needs of Army’s aircrew while the UH-60M Black Hawk is introduced.

Finally, an unknown Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter as "Brahman 379" was seen flying down near Bowen while on a flight out of and back to Townsville.

Photo taken by Michael Malick  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliners V8-DLC and V8-DLE Call into Rockhampton Airport Yet Again!

On Wednesday 22 October, the two Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft - V8-DLE and V8-DLC - both called into Rockhampton Airport yet again transporting personnel and equipment in and of Rocky in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

V8-DLE arrived from Brunei and Singapore as RBA4273/4. It then departed back to Brunei direct as RBA4275.

And V8-DLC visited on Tuesday 21 October, arriving from Brunei and Singapore before departing back to Singapore's Changi Airport as RBA4267/8/9.  On Wednesday 22 October, it once again arrived from Singapore and then departed to Brunei direct as well but as RBA4270/1.

These visits seem to be a 'one off' and there are no further visits by Royal Brunei Dreamliners - or any other heavy jets - for the time being!

Stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/

File photo taken by John Lee  ©

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 21 October, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Dalby, Natal Downs and Clermont Aerodrome and then during the afternoon onwards to Emerald Airport and then back to Archerfield.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 22 October, VH-JSZ once again flew up from Archerfield to Clermont Aerodrome before then flying to Einasleigh and Natal Downs.  During the afternoon, it flew down from there to St George and back to Natal Downs.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 October, VH-JSZ flew down from Natal Downs to Emerald Airport and back to Natal Downs.

While the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ  flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport then down to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Brisbane.

UPDATES!  On Wednesday 22 October, VH-SGQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Mackay Airport.  And on Thursday 23 October, VH-SGQ flew down from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports to Brisbane.

And Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Caboolture.

It had flown down there a couple of weeks ago and was photographed with another Black Hawk helicopter in the form of Orange Helicopters operated Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N711BF.

Photos taken by James Saunders  ©

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-NJR Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On a quiet Monday 20 October, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

File photo

While on Sunday 19 October,  Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ flew up from Bankstown to Mackay Airport and the Cairns and Mareeba after spending a month or so in maintenance down there.

Australian-based but American-registered Eclipse EA500 Bizjet N465DG Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 18 October, Australian-based but American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N465DG arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Port Macquarie and later departed to Archerfield.

File photo

While Airlie Beach-registered Piper PA-46-600TP VH-T43 was noted completing a local flight out of and back to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour via airwork at Hamilton Island Airport.

UPDATE!  Over the next couple of days, VH-T43 took the skies again out of Shute, completing local flights including airwork and landings at both Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and Bowen Aerodrome.

And MKR Helicopters (NSW) Bell Helicopter Textron 407GXP VH-8Y8 was also noted flying out of Shute Harbour heading South.

Photo taken by Paul Tyler  ©