MacAir Invests in Upgraded Air Services for Regional Communities

Air travellers from Cairns to Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw (Edward River) will experience an upgrade in service from the 23rd October when MacAir replaces its 19-seat Metroliners on peak day services on a Monday and a Friday with the 34 seat Saab 340B aircraft.

The airline will continue to operate five weekly flights on the route – Saab 340B’s for the peak Monday and Friday services, and Metroliners on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

“We have worked closely with local communities and councils to develop air services to Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw, and to upgrade airstrips and ground services to accommodate the new Saab operations, we now have confirmation from Casa that the required certifications to operate this class of aircraft into these aerodromes have now been completed and approved for MacAir operations” said Fiona Pelling, Marketing and Customer Relations Manager for MacAir.

“A clear message derived from this process is that where the airport owners make the effort to upgrade their airfields the communities may well enjoy the benefits of enhanced air services. We have recently undertaken the project of working with the councils and communities through the Gulf of Carpentaria including Mornington Island and Doomadgee in achieving the SAAB 340B services that Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw will be enjoying in the next week” said Ms Pelling.

Upgrading these services will deliver a significant improvement in passenger seat availability as well as providing superior in-flight comfort with a flight attendant as well as offering more space for parcels and freight to and from both communities. The introduction of this aircraft type on this route signifies the company's continued multi-million dollar investment into regional Queensland destinations.

The new Monday and Friday Saab 340 services have been retimed and will depart Cairns for the Cape destinations at the later time slot of 11.45am allowing for better inbound connections. The Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday services will remain unchanged, departing Cairns at 8.00am.

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