QantasLink retains Lord Howe Island licence until 2025

[jakeseven7]

Good news for those who redeem QFF points for this very popular destination!

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QantasLink To Continue Serving Lord Howe Island​

QantasLink, the regional airline of Australian flag carrier Qantas Airways, has received approval to continue air services to Lord Howe Island for the next three years, with the government stressing the importance of maintaining regional air connectivity.

QantasLink’s license extension for flight operations to Lord Howe Island will kick in from 30 March 2022 onwards, lasting three years, local media outlet Port News reports quoting the New South Wales (NSW) government.

Paul Toole, NSW deputy premier, says the air service is vital for keeping the island’s 350 residents connected to Sydney and to support the tourism industry.

“Around 16,000 Australian and international visitors travel to Lord Howe Island each year, so the extension of the licence will ensure they can continue to explore all it has to offer,” says Toole.

Australia’s QantasLink To Continue Serving Lord Howe Island – Smart Aviation Asia-Pacific

www.smartaviation-apac.com

 

[Jacques Vert]

An additional three years to use QF points to LDH. That's good news considering the paid tickets are so expensive. But what happens after that? Those Dash 8-200s can't keep going forever.

The runway isn't long enough for the 300s and 400s. A feasibility study into extending the runway was completed in 2018: Runway Extension Feasibility Study | Lord Howe Island Board; however I haven't seen anything further on that since. And here's a link to the detailed report: https://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/sites/l...ements and Suitable Aircraft- Final Issue.pdf

And landing at LDH has its challenges:

Challenging Airports - Lord Howe Island (YLHI)

Challenging Airports - Lord Howe Island (YLHI), Australia

www.key.aero

It will be interesting to see what happens in three years time. Meanwhile, I have my trip re-booked for August '22 after it was cancelled this year.

 

[jakeseven7]

Yes I also had points bookings cancelled during Covid state premier border closure madness, so I’m hoping to get there soon too!

 

[jrfsp]

Will the BNE flights be coming back? Nothing is for sale

 

[jpp42]

The runway isn't long enough for the 300s and 400s. A feasibility study into extending the runway was completed in 2018: https://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/infrastructure/airport/runway-extension-feasibility-study; however I haven't seen anything further on that since.

Here's a corrected link for those having trouble with the above: Runway Extension Feasibility Study | Lord Howe Island Board

 

[Jacques Vert]

Here's a corrected link for those having trouble with the above: Runway Extension Feasibility Study | Lord Howe Island Board

Thanks; I've replaced the link in my earlier post.

I also aded a link to the detaled (130 page) report.

 

[justinbrett]

An additional three years to use QF points to LDH. That's good news considering the paid tickets are so expensive. But what happens after that? Those Dash 8-200s can't keep going forever.

The runway isn't long enough for the 300s and 400s. A feasibility study into extending the runway was completed in 2018: Runway Extension Feasibility Study | Lord Howe Island Board; however I haven't seen anything further on that since.

And landing at LDH has its challenges:

Challenging Airports - Lord Howe Island (YLHI)

Challenging Airports - Lord Howe Island (YLHI), Australia

www.key.aero

It will be interesting to see what happens in three years time. Meanwhile, I have my trip re-booked for August '22 after it was cancelled this year.

They don't really have the choice. The runway just isn't long enough for commercial transport these days.

The upgrade will happen because it has to.

 

[jrfsp]

The new ATR 42-600S should be able to do LDH. Not that QF would acquire them but another operator could.

 

[kpc]

If only they released classic awards in non winter times to LDH....I'll be back in a flash!

 

[Mattg]

The new ATR 42-600S should be able to do LDH. Not that QF would acquire them but another operator could.

Isn't Rex planning to get ATR42s? (Not that I wish for Rex to get the LDH contract...)

 

[jrfsp]

Isn't Rex planning to get ATR42s? (Not that I wish for Rex to get the LDH contract...)

Im sure they would like to....but i doubt they have the capital for any major fleet renewal.

 

[jakeseven7]

Isn't Rex planning to get ATR42s? (Not that I wish for Rex to get the LDH contract...)

They probably would buy one, just to whine that QF had the contract till 2025

 

[jpp42]

Just read through the various documents linked here. The runway extension option is not perfect because of obstacle clearance issues - it will require a steep approach to runway 10 due to the position of North Head. The ATR42-600S really looks like the best option for for LDH requiring no modifications for safe and commercially viable operation on the current runway. One option mentioned in the document (Alternate Option 2) is if a commercial operator can't be convinced to acquire the ATR, that the NSW Government lease the aircraft (I guess just a single airframe) and contract directly with an operator. The documents don't go into detail on the environmental issues of the mooted extension of the RWY 10 end into the lagoon, but I have to imagine that will be difficult to get approval especially when there is a safe alternative with the -600S.

 

[kpc]

If only they released classic awards in non winter times to LDH....I'll be back in a flash!

I could not find a single classic reward seat Syd-Ldh for multiple dates over the next 12 months! Wonder if Platinum award release would work?!

 

[jrfsp]

I could not find a single classic reward seat Syd-Ldh for multiple dates over the next 12 months! Wonder if Platinum award release would work?!

I couldnt either, hopefully if the BNE flights get reinstated might be an option there.

 

[justinbrett]

Plenty of creative options here if ATR-42 is the answer (and I'm not convinced it is).

Just read through the various documents linked here. The runway extension option is not perfect because of obstacle clearance issues - it will require a steep approach to runway 28 due to the position of North Head. The ATR42-600S really looks like the best option for for LDH requiring no modifications for safe and commercially viable operation on the current runway. One option mentioned in the document (Alternate Option 2) is if a commercial operator can't be convinced to acquire the ATR, that the NSW Government lease the aircraft (I guess just a single airframe) and contract directly with an operator. The documents don't go into detail on the environmental issues of the mooted extension of the 28 end into the lagoon, but I have to imagine that will be difficult to get approval especially when there is a safe alternative with the -600S.

They are not moving the threshold of RWY 28 - the approach won't be any steeper than it is now. The issue is the larger aircraft have more restrictive requirements. Solution is extend further to the West and move the displaced threshold further West. And if not, there's plenty of examples where these restrictions are waived around the world with appropriate briefing (eg in Aspen, the runway is only permitted to be used for departures in one direction). There's a similar issue with the runway at St Helena due to turbulence on one side. You'll see throughout that report there's lots of talk about CASA "Grandfathering" and seeking CASA dispensation. A lot of this is regulatory.

But if ATR-42 is the answer, probably not out of the question for Qantaslink to contract someone to run it - perhaps even Air NZ or Air Tahiti. Just paint the tail red and it won't make any difference to the pax.

Or perhaps Air NZ could run a milk run service AKL-NLK-LDH-SYD and back, since the A320 was too big for AKL-NLK (for demand).

 

[jpp42]

Sorry I have corrected my post, it is RWY 10 threshold that would be extended west by 450m in the proposal (I got mixed up in the terminology). The 450m extension is the most that can be allowed because of the North Head landform to the northwest of RWY 10. Any further extension would bring forward the approach and the angle would be too steep to meet the minimum clearances over North Head.

 

[Virgin Bart]

I could not find a single classic reward seat Syd-Ldh for multiple dates over the next 12 months! Wonder if Platinum award release would work?!

It wouldn't. It's the only route specifically excluded.

 

[justinbrett]

Sorry I have corrected my post, it is RWY 10 threshold that would be extended west by 450m in the proposal (I got mixed up in the terminology). The 450m extension is the most that can be allowed because of the North Head landform to the northwest of RWY 10. Any further extension would bring forward the approach and the angle would be too steep to meet the minimum clearances over North Head.

It's really not a big issue. London City had a 7.5% gradient, but is now 5.5% - and that's with jets. 4.5% is well within limits of an ATR or Q400.

 

[glennp]

Booked classic reward flights this year only for Qantas to move my inbound back by two days then my outbound forward by two days, with a couple of intra-day flight changes also thrown in. Rebooked for September 2022 and my morning outbound has already been changed to an afternoon departure. Accommodation on LDH is far from flexible with changes often treated as cancellations and extra days charged at the highest rack rate. Travel insurance is a must, although good luck when you require an insurance letter. You can request the letter online but don't expect a response and contacting Qantas Customer Care by phone is virtually impossible. Still trying and it has been over two months.