No alternatives in sight for Erub/Mabuaig flights

The suspension of commercial – or Regular Passenger Transport – flights in and out of Erub and Mabuiag Islands continues to cause anger and frustration for residents who have few alternatives and no solutions in sight.

Darnley resident Diann Lui said she had written to Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey with her concerns.

“Residents have no option to travel from the island apart from dinghy to neighbouring islands and then flights from there,” she wrote.

“This is not suitable for elderly residents or residents without access to a boat.”

A CASA spokesperson said they continued to “work closely with Skytrans”.

“Airline management is aware of additional work needed to restart flights to other airfields and we continue to work through the necessary processes to resume commercial flights to more Torres Strait Islands in 2023,” they said in January after flights to Mer were resumed.

Skytrans CEO Alan Milne said they were still waiting for CASA.

“Skytrans has been working with CASA to allow for special ‘permissions’ to be granted by CASA to us, enabling us to re-start operations into Murray Island,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we are still awaiting CASA approvals to resume operations back into Mabuiag and Darnley islands.”

Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Phillemon Mosby said Council met with Skytrans on Warraber last week. He said they had written to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King as a result of those meetings, “seeking urgent intervention in to what is becoming a worsening air transport crisis on Erub and Mabuaig islands”.

“The RPT service offered by Skytrans is a life line to the islands proving access to vital goods and services and travel to and from the islands for health, personal and work purposes,” Mayor Mosby said.

“We don’t want to see community members and families forced into sea travel in open dinghies due to this unnecessary rule.”

Minister King said aviation safety remained their top priority.

“The Government understands the importance of reliable transport to remote communities across the Torres Strait,” she said.

“I know that CASA and Skytrans will continue to work together cooperatively on this issue.”

Queensland Minister Mark Bailey was also contacted for comment earlier this week but were unable to respond in time for our print deadlines.