Townsville and Mt Isa first to experience new Macair aircraft
MacAir Airlines, Queensland’s largest regional carrier, announced today that its newly-acquired ATR 42-500 aircraft would enter service mid-year on the key Townsville-Mount Isa route.
The 50-seat aircraft is currently undergoing final preparation in Europe, where it has just been painted in MacAir colours, in readiness for delivery to Townsville later this month.
It will operate peak-time flights for business travellers between Townsville and Mt Isa, and a range of contract services for resources companies.
Specific details of the aircraft’s entry into service and flight schedules will be announced shortly.
The Managing Director of MacAir, Mr. Randal McFarlane, said the investment in the multi-million dollar ATR aircraft signalled a new phase of growth for the airline, which currently serves 36 destinations throughout regional Queensland.
“This acquisition also reflects our confidence in the Queensland economy, in particular the resources sector,” said Mr. McFarlane.
“Not only has the resources boom created new jobs and generated demand for new flying to remote mine sites,” he said. “It has also increased demand for air travel on other routes, reflecting the flow-on economic benefits of the growth in mining.
“The ATR 42-500 will enable us to accommodate the growing demand for flights within Queensland by providing a larger aircraft for use on some of the busiest routes, and releasing existing aircraft for use in other markets.”
The ATR 42-500 is a large, high-speed, modern turboprop airliner, which offers a spacious cabin for passengers and a large rear cargo compartment.
The quiet spacious cabin offers new levels of comfort with new generation air conditioning systems suitable for North Queensland’s hot weather.
“The ATR 42-500 is an in-production aircraft, and offers the highest reliability in its class – a vital consideration in a market as vast as Queensland,” said Mr. McFarlane.
“This aircraft is also perfectly suited to the Australian conditions due to its ability to operate in ‘hot and high’’ conditions and to short or unpaved airfields,” he said.
Although new to Australia, the ATR 42-500 and the larger ATR 72-500 are in operation elsewhere in the Pacific region, flying with operators in New Zealand, New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Fiji. More than 800 ATR’s have been delivered worldwide with over 60 aircraft being delivered each year.
MacAir Airlines is a Qantas Frequent Flyer partner, operating a fleet of modern propjets to 36 destinations in regional Queensland, as well as providing fly-in, fly-out services for the mining community.
Flights on MacAir can be booked online at www.macair.com.au , through your local travel agent or by contacting Qantas Reservations on 131313.
A report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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