After weeks of speculation, the collapse of a respected airline and concerns several remote communities could be cut off completely, the future of air travel in Cape York finally looks a little more certain.
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When Cairns-based airline Skytrans went bust on January 2, Lockhart River, Aurukun, Coen and other Cape York communities faced possible isolation over the wet season until the State Government cut a deal with West Wing Aviation (WWA) to keep the services operating in the interim.
There were plans for the larger, New South Wales-based Regional Express (Rex) to take over on a more permanent basis but they were shelved, at least temporarily, on Wednesday, leaving WWA employees "dancing in the streets".
Cairns-based WWA has been operating Skytrans' old routes since January 5 but will now make a multi-million dollar investment to take over permanently.
"You would say we're dancing in the streets," WWA spokesman Michael Thinee said.
"It's core business to West Wing, not an extension of another arrangement.
"It is the focus for the airline and we'll do it and do it well."
On Wednesday Rex general manager of network strategy and sales Warrick Lodge announced it was postponing plans to introduce regular passenger transport in the Cape.
"Rex has made its best endeavours to speak with local councils in the Cape and they have expressed that they are not yet ready to receive Rex's services," he said.
"Rex remains willing to continue discussions with all interested Cape communities and we will be open to commencing air services once the communities have made firm decisions."
But Cape York mayors Peter Scott (Cook) and Dereck Walpo (Aurukun) said this wasn't the case and they were both open to Rex commencing services.
Nevertheless, Cr Scott, whose Cook Shire takes in Coen, said WWA's plan to take over the services in the long term was "great news".
"They're a proven operator and they've been around for a long time so I'm delighted to hear that," he said.
"It's a funny thing, with any business on the Cape there is a bit of a degree of trust associated with success.
"We welcome somebody who's got a proven track record."
WWA now plans to lease two 36-seater planes formerly leased to Skytrans to augment its fleet of smaller planes.
It will need approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to operate the larger aircraft but both Mr Thinee and a CASA spokesman expect that process to be relatively painless.
"If it's a new aircraft type for their fleet then they will have to get those aircrafts approved," CASA corporate communication manager Peter Gibson said.
"For an existing operator it's not a show-stopping exercise by any stretch of the imagine.
"It's a bit of work but it's not months and months on end."
