Regional Express (Rex) has postponed plans to begin services to Cape York communities in Far North Queensland previously served by Skytrans.
The airline says it decided to drop proposed flights from Cairns to Aurukun, Edward River, Kowanyama and Bamaga that were to begin in mid-March after consulting with local communities in the area.
“Rex has made its best endeavours to speak with local councils in the Cape and they have expressed that they are not yet ready to receive Rex’s services,” Rex general manager of network strategy and sales Warrick Lodge said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Rex remains willing to continue discussions with all interested Cape communities and we will be open to commencing air services once the communities have made firm decisions.”
Various Cape York towns were left without regular air services after the abrupt shutdown of Skytrans on January 2, just a day after the airline celebrated its 25-year anniversary.
The Queensland government has stepped in with some emergency charter services to rescue stranded passengers as the wet season approaches.
Meanwhile Hinterland Aviation said on Tuesday it hoped to start regular public transport flights from Cairns to Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama from January 21 using 12-seat Cessna Caravans.
Hinterland said it was hoping to receive Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approval to commence the new routes by the middle of next week.
