East Air will start year-round passenger services between Cairns and Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, from Monday, 3 November.
It reconnects air services for the first time since Qantaslink stopped flights at the beginning of the Covid pandemic five years ago.
East Air Owner Alan Milne said the new service meant international and domestic visitors could include both iconic regions on their holiday itinerary. Initially operating three times per week, Milne intends to expand the service with larger aircraft and increased frequency as passenger demand builds.
“Passengers visiting Cairns or Hamilton Island will be able to book this new direct connection as part of their door-to-door journey,” Milne said. “This is an ideal opportunity for holidaymakers to maximise their time in Queensland and experience both of these exceptional destinations without additional costly and unnecessary travel and transfers.
“East Air has specialised in tailored charter flight services for more than 15 years. We are taking our operations to the next level by reviving a sought-after passenger service on this untapped route, which has potential to influence the future of regional Queensland tourism.”
Before the pandemic, almost 37,000 seats a year were sold between the Far North Queensland city and Hamilton Island, which is owned by the yachting and winemaking Oatley family company, Balmoral Australia run by group chief executive Nick Dowling.
Milne extended his appreciation to Queensland Assistant Tourism Minister Bree James who was instrumental to the route’s revival. The service will run a 19-seater Beechcraft 1900D three times a week but as demand grows, larger Dash 8 aircraft will be used.
Bridging the gap
Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said East Air would bridge a gap in the market and encourage more travellers to fly directly into Cairns to start their holiday in Queensland.
It comes off the back of Cairns Airport being crowned Airport of the Year for the third consecutive year in a row, at the Australian Aviation Awards in Sydney, last week.
“It is timely to be welcoming the return of a direct link to Hamilton Island as international visitor numbers to Cairns increase. This service will allow international tourists to explore Tropical North Queensland and enjoy the Whitsundays, without first requiring a stopover in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne,” Barker said.
“Travellers will be able to experience luxury island leisure, world-class diving, ecotourism adventures and rich cultural highlights, all without leaving Queensland.”
Previously a charter service, whose core business included FIFO mine work and prisoner transport between Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane, East Air will pivot to fly the tourist service through the Cairns Airport’s domestic terminal.
Home of the holiday
Minister for Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said: “Queensland is the home of the holiday and with the world’s attention turning to the state in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it’s the perfect time to connect two of our most iconic destinations with direct flights.
“This delivers what we heard, repeatedly, through the development of our 20-year tourism vision Destination 2045 – the importance of connecting our international gateways like Cairns with our spectacular regions, and they don’t get much more spectacular than Hamilton Island!”
Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling said visitors will once again have easy access to the extraordinary breadth of the Great Barrier Reef, from Tropical North Queensland to the Whitsundays, in just over an hour.
“This new service with East Air is a timely and significant step towards revitalising Queensland’s island resorts, opening up access to key domestic and international markets just as the Whitsundays begin to prepare to stage sailing at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games,” Dowling said.
“We’re proud to partner with East Air and Cairns Airport on our shared vision to boost regional tourism and showcase some of the most spectacular parts of Queensland, and Australia to the world.”
Attractions include St Peter at The Grand National, Paddington chefs Josh and Julie Niland’s recently opened restaurant, The Sundays, which has opened at Hamilton Island’s new luxury boutique hotel.
Plus the Whitsundays is also host to Hamilton Island Race Week, until 23 August, which offers a week of yacht races and onshore festivities on and around the island.
Limited-time launch offer
To celebrate the return of direct flights from Cairns, East Air and Hamilton Island have launched a special, limited-time holiday offer. Guests flying direct from Cairns to Hamilton Island with East Air can save 20 per cent on stays of three nights or more at the Reef View Hotel (standard rooms, Bed & Breakfast rate).
Normal season flights will cost $350 one-way per person (including fees and charges), but an opening special, valid until until 22 December, costs $236 per person.
The offer is valid for travel from 1 November to 22 December 2025 and ends at 4:00pm AEST, Friday 31 October 2025. Full terms and conditions apply.
