M****R
Zoomy wrote:
Zoomy, I daresay that if PC put his mind to it, then it would happen. He started it from scratch once before didn't he?
Don't be fooled by the (outward) signs on simplicity of some of the Qld elected representatives. If they want something bad enough they'll turn into a rabbid dog until they get it. PC has a large base of support in those of whom I refer.
Regards,
OpsN.
Ops normal, Do you think Westwing would have the infrustrucure to run the services at a profit? My bet is the Govt want to pay as little as posibble and couldn't really give a rats about the regional service. As long as an aircraft arrives and departs. I hope anyone who trys to pick up this contract really has a good look at the price they offer, for the sake of regional Qld.
Don't be fooled by the (outward) signs on simplicity of some of the Qld elected representatives. If they want something bad enough they'll turn into a rabbid dog until they get it. PC has a large base of support in those of whom I refer.
Regards,
OpsN.
Moderator
XRlent100.
Don't tell the passengers from Quilpie, Windora, Birdsville, Boulia and Bedourie about your 50 seat RPT jet aircraft plan.
They may get a little excited!
All five or six of them each week!
inandout
Why would Sunnies look at the M@cair routes? They don't have an aircraft capable of operating into most of the airstrips. Already they are restricted due to the -400's being unable to operate most of their existing western air routes.
Don't tell the passengers from Quilpie, Windora, Birdsville, Boulia and Bedourie about your 50 seat RPT jet aircraft plan.
They may get a little excited!
All five or six of them each week!
inandout
Why would Sunnies look at the M@cair routes? They don't have an aircraft capable of operating into most of the airstrips. Already they are restricted due to the -400's being unable to operate most of their existing western air routes.
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Cant see any other company running the government routes any better then what CC are doing.
Its easy to tender and promise first class service, but backing it up is another thing.
Just hope the goverment realise this.
Its easy to tender and promise first class service, but backing it up is another thing.
Just hope the goverment realise this.
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I would guess QANTASLink would have the edge, but no one has mentioned Skytrans as a possible contender. They have Dash 8s and still have a few 404s.
My 2 cents.
My 2 cents.
"..what would QANTASLINK use to get into Mornington Island, Normanton ect?"
Mornington, Normanton, Doomagee and Burketown are not included in the Queensland Transport subsidised or protected air routes.
From memory, the Queensland protected air routes are as follows:
1. State Licensed, non subsidised:
Cairns - Weipa
Cairns - Horn Island
Brisbane - Roma - Charleville
2. State Licensed, subsidised:
Brisbane - Blackall - Barcaldine - Longreach - (Winton)
Brisbane - (Charleville) - Quilpie - Windorah - Birdsville - Bedourie - Boulia - Mt Isa
Townsville - Charters Towers - Julia Creek - Hughenden - Cloncurry
Townsville - Mt Isa is not restricted.
I forget the subsidy break up, but seem to recall the total subsidy to long haul bus services and scheduled RPT services amounts to approx $12.5 mill per annum.
Contrary to comment, Queensland Transport takes a great interest in these services and regularly consults with the communities.
There were between eight and twelve bidders for the last contract (can't remember the exact number), so there should be no lack of interest in the future if any restructure becomes necessary. I think APNG (Skytrans) were a bidder last time around. Longreach airstrip is currently being upgraded and that community is trying to attract jet aircraft.
It is a contract requirement the services are operated with pressurised aircraft (thus voiding the Dornier 228).
Mornington, Normanton, Doomagee and Burketown are not included in the Queensland Transport subsidised or protected air routes.
From memory, the Queensland protected air routes are as follows:
1. State Licensed, non subsidised:
Cairns - Weipa
Cairns - Horn Island
Brisbane - Roma - Charleville
2. State Licensed, subsidised:
Brisbane - Blackall - Barcaldine - Longreach - (Winton)
Brisbane - (Charleville) - Quilpie - Windorah - Birdsville - Bedourie - Boulia - Mt Isa
Townsville - Charters Towers - Julia Creek - Hughenden - Cloncurry
Townsville - Mt Isa is not restricted.
I forget the subsidy break up, but seem to recall the total subsidy to long haul bus services and scheduled RPT services amounts to approx $12.5 mill per annum.
Contrary to comment, Queensland Transport takes a great interest in these services and regularly consults with the communities.
There were between eight and twelve bidders for the last contract (can't remember the exact number), so there should be no lack of interest in the future if any restructure becomes necessary. I think APNG (Skytrans) were a bidder last time around. Longreach airstrip is currently being upgraded and that community is trying to attract jet aircraft.
It is a contract requirement the services are operated with pressurised aircraft (thus voiding the Dornier 228).
Yes, I did forget Thargo. It is not quite the end of the world, but you can see it from there! 
The direct Townsville to Mt Isa is an open, unrestricted route. I think only the intermediate ports are subsidised.
The last B200 operator was YC (Flight West) in 1987 to 1989 when the air subsidy started at $1.25 mill in 1987 - they were appropriate for their time, but that time is now past. After 1989, the YC services were mostly operated by Embraer EMB120ER Brasilia aircraft. Prior to June 1987, TAA operated the services with three Jetstream aircraft.
I guess one day Sunnies will move out of the smaller Dash 8 -200 and -300 aircraft. When the current gas drilling boom dies out and the smaller Dash 8s are no longer operated, the subsidised air routes will again be in trouble.
If adequate subsidy and revenue were available, I'm inclined to think the Beech 1900D and/or Brasilia could be the most appropriate aircraft types for all the subsidised RPT air routes, possibly with a C208 "hub & spoke" feeder service at Longreach.
Acquiring aircraft and establishing an operating company to operate a four year contract is fraught with financial risk.
The direct Townsville to Mt Isa is an open, unrestricted route. I think only the intermediate ports are subsidised.
The last B200 operator was YC (Flight West) in 1987 to 1989 when the air subsidy started at $1.25 mill in 1987 - they were appropriate for their time, but that time is now past. After 1989, the YC services were mostly operated by Embraer EMB120ER Brasilia aircraft. Prior to June 1987, TAA operated the services with three Jetstream aircraft.
I guess one day Sunnies will move out of the smaller Dash 8 -200 and -300 aircraft. When the current gas drilling boom dies out and the smaller Dash 8s are no longer operated, the subsidised air routes will again be in trouble.
If adequate subsidy and revenue were available, I'm inclined to think the Beech 1900D and/or Brasilia could be the most appropriate aircraft types for all the subsidised RPT air routes, possibly with a C208 "hub & spoke" feeder service at Longreach.
Acquiring aircraft and establishing an operating company to operate a four year contract is fraught with financial risk.
Last edited by Torres; 25th Jan 2009 at 20:13.
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Several years ago when I worked at M****r, the company looked into, I think with the state gov, operating as Torres described a hub and spoke type route structure through Longreach. When it was put to the local councils and the people of Western Qld, the feedback was very negative. One of the many arguments I heard was that the RFDS bases responsible for there medical needs were based in Charleville and Isa and if they were to be sent to Hospital in either of those bases, it would be difficult to get home again. I think that is a lame excuse but that is what I was told.
