Airline Affairs

Australian Bailout of Western Queensland Routes While Air Queensland Contracts Operations:

Effective May 31 Australian Airlines withdrew their loss-making Jetstream services from the western Queensland routes. Their replacement will be 10 passenger Beech Super King Air 200s operated by New Guinea-based Talair Talair surprised many industry observers by winning the five year western route contract though Queensland Government Transport Minister, Mr Don Lane, reported that Talair was the only operator to guarantee pressurised propjet aircraft capable of operating with an annual subsidy of $1. 35m. Talair is New Guinea’s largest regional with some 83 aircraft, 700 staff and aircraft up to DHC Dash 8 status operating as far afield as the Philippines and Vanuatu. It is expected that the Queensland move is possibly the start of expatriate Talair owner, Mr Denis Buchanan’s move back to Australian operations in the longer term.

The routes to be serviced by Talair from June 1 were, Brisbane to Roma, Charleville, Quilpie Windorah and Birdsville. Brisbane to Roma, Charleville, Blackall, Barcaldine, Longreach and Winton plus the Townsville, Charters Towers, Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Mt. isa services.

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