From Skytrans CEO Alan Milne

A CHANGE IS COMING!

As a further update to our recent Town Hall meeting, I thought I would give you a heads up as to some unusual aircraft movements over the next few days.

The first of the ex-Qantas Link Dash 8-200s VH-TQG, has been successfully transferred to the Skytrans operation. Our plan is to do familiarization flights over the next two days (Thursday and Friday) out to the island. Our pilots will do several instrument approaches to consolidate the training they have already completed in the simulator and the observation flights they have been on with Qantas Link. 

The aircraft will be an “all-white” paint scheme until we can program in downtime and a facility to add the Skytrans livery.

We will commence our operation on behalf of Qantas Link from Monday the 7th of April.

Our whole organisation is extremely excited to be so close to the start of what we believe will be a long and successful relationship with the people of Lord Howe Island.

Can I still book through Qantas? 

Yes. Once the transition is complete, customers will be able to book through all the normal Qantas channels. Skytrans will set its own pricing through Skytrans.com.au. 

Can I still earn Frequent Flyer Points? 

Through the codeshare, if you are a Qantas Frequent Flyer and book via Qantas.com or Qantas sales channels, you will earn Qantas Points and Status Credits. 

Will passengers still be able to use Qantas Frequent Flyer points with the new provider? 

Yes, once the codeshare agreement is in place, you will be able to use your points on flights from Sydney to Lord Howe Island when booking via Qantas.com. 

Will I earn the same number of Qantas status credits and same number of points? 

Yes, if you are a Qantas Frequent Flyer and book via Qantas.com or Qantas sales channels. 

Will the taxes fees and carrier charges for reward seats change? 

Skytrans, as the new operator, will control the availability of seats and the prices it charges Qantas to access those seats. Qantas will therefore incur additional costs to continue to offer Classic Reward Seats on flights between Lord Howe Island and Sydney now that it is no longer the operator of the route. 

There will be an increase to the carrier surcharge for booking a Classic Reward seat.

Will the resident fare scheme still exist? 

Yes, Skytrans will continue to offer resident fares. 

You will no longer be able to book resident fares through Qantas for flights beyond 26 February 2026. 

Which terminal will I use if I am flying from Sydney to Lord Howe Island? 

Skytrans plans to continue operating flights from Terminal 3. Skytrans will communicate with the community if there are any changes to this plan. 

Can I still access Qantas Lounges? 

Yes, if you are travelling on a Qantas flight number and are eligible for access to the lounges in Sydney. 

What aircraft will I be flying on? 

Skytrans will take delivery of Qantas’ three Q200 aircraft and will operate these on the Sydney to Lord Howe route. 

How will Qantas and Skytrans ensure tourism isn’t impacted by this decision? Will the national carrier continue to promote Lord Howe Island as a destination? 

Qantas will work closely with the Lord Howe Island Board and the Lord Howe Island Tourism Association through this transition to ensure we can continue to support the tourism industry here including through the Qantas Magazine, Qantas Travel Insider and Qantas’ marketing channels. Importantly, through a codeshare with Skytrans, tourism operators and travel agents who have previously booked through Qantas.com, will still be able to do so. 

Will Skytrans consider starting new routes from Lord Howe Island? 

The priority for now is ensuring a seamless transition of the Sydney to Lord Howe route. Skytrans would be best placed to discuss other new route opportunities. 

Does Skytrans have an engineering base in Sydney and if not, will they set one up? 

Currently, no, but this is all part of the transition process and Skytrans will set up a line maintenance base in Sydney. Skytrans would be best placed to discuss their plans.

Who do I contact for more information on flights booked for travel from 26 February 2026 onwards? 

Skytrans will be the primary point of contact for everything related to the operation of flights to Lord Howe Island. This includes but is not limited to the following:

• Resident fares 
• Changes to your Resident Fares booking or bookings made directly with Skytrans 
• Cabin baggage allowance 
• Excess or additional checked baggage when your first flights is with Skytrans 
• Insurance claims, or Refunds when booking via Skytrans directly. 
• Disruptions if connecting from a Skytrans flight. 
• Qantas: Bookings made via Qantas.com 
• Reward Seats 
• Checked Baggage allowance if booked as a codeshare flight if booked on a Qantas codeshare flight. 
• Excess or additional checked baggage when your first flights is operated by Qantas. 
• Insurance claims, or refunds when booking via Qantas.com 
• Disruptions if connecting from a Qantas operated flight. 
• Contact your travel agent for bookings made through your travel agent. 

If a Skytrans delay causes a missed Qantas connection, who will rebook the passenger? 

If flying on a cancelled or delayed Skytrans operated flight, please refer to Skytrans for rebooking and assistance. 

When will I see a different livery flying into Lord Howe Island? 

The wet lease begins in April. This means you may see that one of the Q200 aircraft will be painted in a white livery and will be operated by Skytrans crew on behalf of QantasLink. 

The other two aircraft will initially remain in the red tail livery with QantasLink crew operating the flight. We expect the full wet lease to take effect from the middle of the year and will remain in place until the licence officially changes to Skytrans. 

Will Skytrans flights be included in Qantas’ multi-city or round-the-world bookings?

Flights will be bookable in Qantas’ multi city bookings but not round the world bookings as this is part of Oneworld. 

If a passenger books a Skytrans-operated flight via Qantas.com, will baggage allowances reflect Qantas’ standard policies or Skytrans’ (if different)? 

Checked baggage: The Qantas allowances apply for checked baggage when flying on a codeshare flight operated by Skytrans. 

Carryon baggage: Your carry-on baggage allowances are set by the operating carrier, when flights are operated by Skytrans, this will be the Skytrans allowance. 
 

More information on the codeshare agreement can be found here: www.qantas.com/skytrans

Information correct as at 1 April 2025.