Qantas customers will continue to be able to fly between Sydney and Lord Howe Island for the next few years as part of an agreement with regional airline Skytrans.
With Qantas retiring the Bombardier Q200 aircraft currently operating on the route, Skytrans has been granted a licence to fly to the island by the NSW Government exclusively from 26 February 2026.
QantasLink and Skytrans are finalising a codeshare agreement that will commence when Skytrans begins operating these flights.
This means locals and tourists will continue to be able to book flights to Lord Howe Island on the Qantas website, with frequent flyers earning Status Credits and Qantas Points and access to lounges in Sydney.
Skytrans’ flights to Lord Howe Island will continue to operate on the same schedule and frequency as QantasLink, and intends to operate them from Qantas Terminal 3 at Sydney Airport. There will be no impact on existing bookings.
The 200-seat Q36 is the only aircraft in the QantasLink fleet that can operate to Lord Howe Island due to the length of the island’s runway and is being phased out as part of a major investment in the turboprop fleet to better serve regional Australia.
QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan said today's announcement followed a commitment in June to maintain services to the island.
Skytrans has been granted a licence to operate the regulated route to Lord Howe Island until March 2030.
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