C208s in RPT?

[Horatio Leafblower]

G'day guys

Are there any C208s used in RPT any more, or was that just a flash in the pan?

And Torres... do you know anyone who used B200s in RPT? How did it go? :}

[Dog One]

Flight West started off using B200's on RPT services before upgrading to EMB120's

[Skystar320]

Flight West started off using B200's on RPT services before upgrading to EMB120's

Wasn't it EMB-110's first?

[Dave Incognito]

Hinterland might still operate the Van as RPT out of Cairns to Dunk and Lizard. It's been a while since i was up that way though...

[Bendo]

Torres set up Flight West in about 8 weeks back in 1988 (?) :D using B200's... which is why, I suspect, Horatio asked him! :ok:

[Skystar320]

Bendy, yeah I know that. But what I though its Flightwest replaced the B200's with EMB-110's?

[Stationair8]

Airnorth had a C208 VH-CVN on the RPT out to Tiwi Islands for a while.

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

B200s were operated on RPT to Norfolk Is for many years, was it Advance Airlines (AA?) that operated B200s on a variety of routes , including Toowoomba - Sydney?

Dr :8

[Stationair8]

Oxley Airlines, Hazeltons, Skywest operated B200's on RPT services

[Torres]

Flight West Airlines commenced LCRPT services on June 1, 1987, with King Air 200 aircraft. The Western Queensland Subsidised Air Service Contract stipulated pressurised aircraft and EMB110 Bandeirante aircraft never replaced the King Air 200's. In the first year, the Queensand Transport subsidy accounted for up to 25% of total revenue.

The later Bandeirante (and Twin Otter) aircraft were Talair surplus and used only on air routes not included in the subsidised air service contract: e.g. Cairns, Normanton, etc to Mt Isa.

The King Airs were eventually replaced with EMB120ER Brasilia aircraft.

It is my belief that in the current climate, King Airs (and similar turbine aircraft less than at least 20 passenger seats) are not viable on scheduled RPT services, at currently prevailing air fares.

I recall only Flight West Airlines, Norfolk Island Airlines and Oxley Airlines operating King Air aircraft on RPT services. That none of those operators remain is probably an indication of the economics. I would never have proposed the King Airs on Flight West services in 1987 if they were not heavily subsidised.

Indeed, as air fares reduce in real value and operating costs rise, we are now seeing older technology 30 to 40 seat turbine aircraft (e.g. DHC8-100) being phased out.

The C208B may still be viable on essential, rural, hub and spoke RPT operations, however if those services can't generate 1,250 to 1,500 hours per annum, per aircraft, at 70% or greater load factor and real airfares, forget it!

[Dixondik]

Aero Tropics in Cairns also operate C208Bs, only presuming they run them on their RPT runs up north.

[Biggles66]

Sydney Seaplanes run a C208 out of Rose Bay to Newcastle.