SmartLynx Australia has been successfully awarded the Sydney to Lord Howe Island route by Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW). This route has been operated by Qantas for over 30 years, but due to changes in their fleet strategy, the airlines will no longer serve it.
SmartLynx Australia have been licenced to operate the route for the next 5 years, thanks to the company’s extensive history in regional and remote aviation as well as the expertise with the Dash 8 aircraft that have been synonymous with the connection to the island.
To ensure a smooth transition, SmartLynx Australia will work closely with Qantas, maintaining the level of service and experience that Australian and international customers have come to expect.
Taking off from Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport’s Terminal 3, the Sydney-Lord Howe Island route will offer convenient, reliable, and flexible travel options with at least 14 flights per week during the peak season and 7 flights weekly in the low season.
Visitors and residents of Lord Howe Island who are familiar with this route can rest assured that they will continue to enjoy the same high standards of service they have experienced for the past 30 years. SmartLynx Australia will acquire the three Dash 8-200 aircraft from Qantas to provide a smooth transition for travelers with the same trusted and comfortable in-flight experience.
The Sydney-Lord Howe Island route is a major milestone in SmartLynx Australia’s broader expansion, making the company proud to extend their network to more regions across Australia.
“SmartLynx Australia is honoured to be able to continue this essential air service and looks forward to working closely with the Lord Howe Island community to ensure a safe, reliable, and customer-focused operation continues,” SmartLynx Australia Managing Director and CEO Gytis Gumuliauskas said.
“We have a long and proud history with Lord Howe Island and are pleased to be partnering with Skytrans. Building on more than 30 years of services, we will continue to support both the island and Skytrans throughout the transition period and into the future,” QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan agreed.