SmartLynx Australia takes over Lord Howe Island and becomes the first new regional airline at Sydney Airport

From 1 December the essential Lord Howe Island to Sydney regional air route will be fully operated by SmartLynx Australia using Dash-8 turboprop aircraft.

In October 2024, Transport for New South Wales awarded SmartLynx Australia the Sydney to Lord Howe Island route license. The route, operated by Qantas for over 30 years, will be operated by SmartLynx using Dash-8 aircraft acquired from Qantas.

Qantas will continue its partnership with SmartLynx under a full codeshare agreement that enables customers to book Lord Howe Island flights via Qantas, earning Qantas frequent flyer points and status credits as well as being able to seamlessly transfer between SmartLynx and Qantas flights.

SmartLynx Australia’s regional aviation growth path

SmartLynx Australia’s entry into the Australian regional aviation market is a commitment to regional connectivity, at a time where regional aviation challenges are impacting the long-term viability of critical regional community air connectivity.

SmartLynx Australia continues to invest in its Dash-8 fleet and capabilities, ensuring long-term reliability for regional communities. At the same time, SmartLynx’s capabilities allow it to support other regional airlines facing capacity gaps or ageing fleet challenges — helping maintain essential air connectivity where it really matters.

SmartLynx Australia has committed to retain the special Lord Howe Island resident fare structure previously implemented by Qantas.

“SmartLynx Australia will work with all Lord Howe Island stakeholders to help grow the visitor economy on the beautiful Lord Howe Island, says SmartLynx Australia CEO Gytis Gumuliauskas.

“We are looking to offer more capacity with our Dash-8 turboprop fleet to address regional market needs, to support other regional airlines and to maintain the essentially important regional airline services that our Lord Howe Island customers are used to”, adds SmartLynx Australia CEO Gytis Gumuliauskas.

New regional airline enters Sydney Airport

SmartLynx Australia is pleased to be the first new regional airline in many years to enter Sydney Airport and to maintain the services to Lord Howe Island previously operated by Qantas.

SmartLynx Australia looks forward to expanding its Sydney footprint and continue its regional aviation growth path into regional NSW.

SmartLynx Australia will operate all its departures and arrivals from the T3 Qantas domestic terminal, which provides all Lord Howe Island passengers with the ability to easily transfer themselves, and their checked luggage to other Qantas services.

Background

• Lord Howe Island is 600km east of the mainland Australia coast, a two-hour flight from Sydney. SmartLynx flies to Lord Howe daily direct from Sydney, with most days of the year having at least a double daily service.
• Under an aircraft lease, also known as ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance), regional airlines can quickly access fully serviced aircraft complete with trained crews from SmartLynx Australia. This flexible model allows regional airlines and regional industries to increase capacity during peak seasons, cover aircraft maintenance and overcome any issues securing experienced pilots and aircraft engineers.

As part of Avia Solutions Group (ASG), the world's largest ACMI provider, SmartLynx Australia can leverage global expertise and resources to help airlines overcome ongoing challenges within the Australian regional aviation market.

• The SmartLynx brand will enter a period of transformation in Australia after the new owners of these airline businesses in Latvia, Estonia and Malta closed their operations. ASG’s Asia-Pacific airline businesses in Thailand and Australia are now preparing new brand identities more relevant to their regional aviation operations and ambitions.
• For SmartLynx Australia bookings and further information https://smartlynx.au/