On the isolated Lord Howe Island, different periods have primarily been characterized not by rulers or monarchs, but rather by forms of transportation, as these offer essential links to continental Australia.
The transportation history of the island covers various periods starting with the early days in 1834 when initial settlers utilized whaling boats. This was followed by the nostalgic age of flying boats after World War II, leading up to the recent thirty years where Qantas has been serving the local population.
“Given its extreme isolation, being 586 kilometres away from the nearest part of the Australian mainland, the story of Lord Howe Island has consistently been shaped by transportation and communication,” remarked local historian Chris Murray.
How someone manages to get onto and then leave that remote location.
Lately, the last airplane adorned with Qantas branding and staffed by their crew landed on Lord Howe Island’s small runway.
This signifies a touching conclusion of an era for the island inhabitants, as a group assembled beneath the rain-drenched sky to bid farewell to the last departing plane.
“Many tears were shed,” according to Bronwyn Tofaeono from Lord Howe Island.
It’s a time brimming with pride, nostalgia, and a gentle feeling of loss.
More than just transport
Since 1991, Qantas has maintained the route license, but it is gradually discontinuing its Dash-8 Q200 models from its fleet as they are the sole planes capable of landing at Lord Howe Island’s extremely short airstrip.
The regional airline based in North Queensland, Skytrans, is currently taking over the route and will be rebranding the aircraft.
Ms Tofaeono mentioned that over the years, their community’s relationship with the airline and the frequent pilots and staff on this route has grown into something much more substantial than mere transportation.
She mentioned, ‘The Qantas Dash 8 has turned into much more than just an aircraft for us.’
It brought our newborns home, transported our kids to and from boarding school, and linked us to the world far beyond our borders.
Following my dad’s passing, I can’t erase from memory the instant we brought him back home—the Qantas staff remained silent on the runway as they removed his casket.
This gesture of deep reverence is something I will cherish for a lifetime.
From June 1991 to January 2020, the airport management team for Lord Howe Island consisted of a collaboration among local inhabitants involving Leon Brice, Cindy Charlton Shick, Suzy Gillett, as well as Chris and Margaret Murray.
Mr Murray mentioned that aircraft occasionally remained on the island for the night because of poor weather conditions or technical issues, leading to bonds forming between the flight crews and the local families on the island.
“A significant amount of pilots and crew members visit us during their vacations because they have formed strong connections with this location,” Mr Murray stated.
It’s personal. In a close-knit community, everyone collaborates to ensure everything runs smoothly… reaching this place involves quite an effort, demanding extensive coordination and support from all participants.
Ms Charlton Shick stated that the air connection to the island was crucial for the local population.
“The ferry service connects us with our relatives and buddies on the mainland for healthcare services and is crucial for attracting tourists too,” she stated.
Many of us head to the mainland and return with our babies.
A new generation has only ever traveled domestically using QantasLink when returning home cradled in their mother’s arms.
Mr. Jack Shick, Ms. Schick’s spouse and a fifth-generation native of the island, mentioned that the conclusion of the Qantas era marked a substantial milestone.
“It’s somewhat similar to when the flying boats ceased operations; the conclusion of an era we were familiar with,” he stated.
‘Exceptional’ flying boats
The flying boat period on Lord Howe Island lasted from 1947 to 1974, with Qantas handling the larger aircraft up until 1951.
Later, Ansett assumed control, and Mr. Murray’s father served as the Ansett manager on Lord Howe Island from 1958 to 1974.
“The seaplanes were simply remarkable,” stated Mr Murray.
All of us on Lord Howe are passionate about flying boats.
We adore this time period and watching the elegance of a massive plane gliding over the lagoon.
The plane could land here only during high tide… as significant waves often roll over our coral reef, making the airstrip, for lack of a better word, somewhat bumpy at times.
Mr Schick mentioned that numerous inhabitants of the island cherished their recollections from the era of flying boats.
“The flying boats were extremely comfortable; their seats resembled small lounge chairs. When meals were provided, they arrived on actual plates with knives and forks—nothing like modern air travel,” he stated.
The most memorable part of the journey was touching down on the pristine, clear waters of the lagoon.
On the island, it was customary for departing visitors to be presented with a floral lei… as they embarked, they’d toss the lei into the water, creating a stunning sight of floating blooms surrounding the aircraft.
Nick Collie, the Chief Operating Officer of QantasLink, stated that going ahead, the airline will establish a codeshare agreement with Skytrans and maintain its service to Lord Howe Island.
“In recognition of our rich heritage… we will be christening one of our latest A321 XLR planes, The Seven Peaks Walk, after the famous Lord Howe Island trail,” stated Mr Collie.
Skytrans has secured the license for operating the designated route to Lord Howe Island up until March 2030. Their shared operation arrangement with Qantas will conclude in February 2026, following which they will take over exclusive control of all flight operations.
The CEO of Skytrans, Alan Milne, stated: “We at Skytrans feel privileged to maintain this crucial air service and are eager to collaborate closely with the Lord Howe Island community to guarantee a continued operation that is safe, dependable, and centered around our customers.”
