Some ground made in Skytrans flight impasse

BY CHRISTINE HOWES

After meeting in Cairns earlier this week, Skytrans CEO Alan Milne says CASA CEO Pip Spence has promised they will “try their hardest” to resolve regulatory changes which have prevented the airline from flying in and out of Mabuiag and Darnley Islands since late last year.

Mr Milne said it was good to speak to them face to face.

“There was a few new options that they put on the table that we haven’t heard before,” he said.

“Including us doing a test flight program to prove that the aircraft is capable of operating into these runways in a safe manner, as we have done for the last 20 years, which is a good sign.

“However, no commitments were made to either resolving it or a timeframe in which that might happen.”

He said he was hopeful.

“We had run into a brick wall with the previous path, and that was driving our extreme frustration,” he said.

“However, now we have other opportunities we will be able to assist with, ie the test flight program, that hopefully will provide them the data and the knowledge that they need to give us the approval to resume full operations into those runways.”

He said they had done everything they could.

“Skytrans has implemented multiple changes in procedures, including modifications to their aeroplanes, at their own expense,” he said.

“Procedures that were at the request of CASA, and vetted and approved by CASA, that enabled us to return some operations to Murray Island.

“But there are still no viable operations to Mabuiag or to Darnley.”

A CASA spokesperson said meetings were ongoing.

“We are meeting with Skytrans and members of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council to discuss every possible option for finding a workable and safe solution,” they said.

Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said he had met with CASA “some weeks ago” on the issue.

“I’ve been following up very closely with Skytrans and I know they are really frustrated by this,” he said.

“From what I understand with Skytrans, they don’t have a problem with applying international standards, that’s not the issue.

“The issue is that

CASA’s refusing to accept any of their previous history, all of the experience that they’ve had in that area, taking that into consideration.”

He said the runway issues on both islands were not easily fixed.

“It seems to me that they’ve locked them into a situation which is not possible to resolve in, not even in the longer term,” he said.

“I really feel for those communities, Darnley in particular, it’s awful, and nobody can afford to be hiring helicopters to go there for those trips, and nor should they have to.

“It cannot go on like this, this is absolutely ridiculous.

“It’s been so long now, they don’t consider the impact it has, for example, on the local arts community there, where they’re relying on people coming in.”

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said communities across the Torres Strait and Cape York need transport infrastructure they could depend on.

“Safe and reliable transport is vital to the wellbeing of residents in the remote communities of Darnley and Mabuiag Islands,” he said.

“I have been contacted by several residents and the Member for Cook Cynthia Lui MP over the recent disruptions to Skytrans services and the impact this is having on community.

“My office has held talks with CASA, Skytrans and the Federal Government and I welcome all parties working together to address residents’ concerns.”

Local MP Cynthia Lui said she understood the frustrations.

“I understand the frustrations and concerns