Hinterland Aviation details SkyCourier launch plans

By Andrew Curran.

Queensland's Hinterland Aviation anticipates putting its Cessna 408 SkyCouriers into revenue service in early 2027 and will shift its scheduled passenger operations at Cairns (CNS) from its own terminal in the general aviation precinct to the airport's main domestic terminal.

The Cairns-based airline ordered two 19-seat SkyCouriers in early 2024. They will supplement the existing fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans, providing greater passenger capacity and payload.

In a Facebook post last week, the airline outlined a tentative weekday timetable for the new aircraft. While no firm start date was announced, Hinterland said it expects to commence operations in "early 2027".

SkyCouriers to fly out of Cairns

Under the proposed schedule, one aircraft will operate a Cairns – Kowanyama (KWM) – Pormpuraaw (EDR) – Cairns rotation each weekday morning, followed by a Cairns – Pormpuraaw – Kowanyama – Cairns rotation each weekday afternoon.

The second SkyCourier will operate a Cairns – Aurukun (AUU) – Lockhart River (IRG) – Cairns rotation each weekday morning, followed by a Cairns – Lockhart River – Aurukun – Cairns rotation each weekday afternoon.

Cessna 208Bs will continue to operate scheduled services between Cairns and Cooktown (CTN), and between Cairns and Coen (CUQ), for the time being.

Hinterland Aviation said the new Cessna 408 services will operate from the Cairns domestic terminal and that Aurukun will become a new destination on its scheduled network. The airline will be the first Australian operator of the SkyCourier.

In April, Hinterland reported that two of its pilots had completed their type ratings. Two months later, some of  the airline's leadership team travelled to Hawaii to observe how Lanai Air operates its SkyCouriers.

Hinterland CEO says SkyCouriers will be a valuable addition to fleet

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) records show Hinterland Aviation is the registered operator of 15 aircraft, comprising one Cessna 208, one Beechcraft B200 and 13 Cessna 208Bs. However, the B200 does not appear to have flown during the past 12 months, while one Cessna 208B has been out of service since late March.

FlightRadar24 data indicates that ten aircraft are based at Cairns, two at Townsville Airport (where Hinterland operates a high-frequency weekday shuttle to Palm Island (PMK)), and three at Horn Island (HID), the hub of the airline's Torres Strait network.

The new SkyCouriers will not initially operate on the Townsville or Torres Strait routes.

“The aircraft will be a valuable addition to our fleet, allowing us to better serve our clients' individual needs with room for 19 passengers and access to remote runways,” said Hinterland Aviation CEO Andrew Clair when announcing the order.

“The SkyCourier will serve as an important tool to help grow our business, and we will be proud to be the first airline customer in Australia to operate this aircraft.”

A small airline punching above its weight

In total, Hinterland Aviation operates scheduled passenger services to 20 airports across North Queensland. It also holds the contract to operate passenger flights between Cairns and Lizard Island (LZR), home to the upscale Delaware North-owned Lizard Island Resort.

Cairns Airport says Hinterland Aviation is “a great example of a small regional airline punching above its weight while providing vital connectivity to regional and remote communities.”

Hinterland Aviation expects to take delivery of its Cessna 408 SkyCouriers in January 2027.

Photo: Hinterland Aviation.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com