Air Queensland

Air Queensland was an Australian airlines which operated from 1951 until its demise in 1988.

Data

*ICAO Code: AQN
*IATA Coce: unknown
*Callsign: Bushair

History

Bush Pilots Airways was formed in 1951 and operated in Queensland, Australia until 1988. One of its first aircraft was a De Haviland DH-90 "Dragonfly" registered as VH-AAD. This was purchased from Adastra Airways Ltd in Sydney in 1951 and flown to Cairns, Queensland by Bush Pilots founder Bob Normanref|BobNorman.

In May 1972 Bush Pilots absorbed Queensland Pacific Airways Ltd, taking over its DC-3 aircraft.

In 1978 Bush Pilots Airways changed their name to BPA. On the 1 December 1981 BPA became Air Queensland.

The Air Queensland name ceased to exist on 30 April 1988, after being absorbed by Australian Airlines (formerly Trans Australia Airlines, later Qantas). The last General Manager was Ron Entsch.

BPA operated Douglas DC3 aircraft and Swearingen Metroliners. Operations were largely in Queensland, Australia. The services north from Brisbane (and return) were very popular with business travellers and tourists alike. A typical run involved stops in regional cities between Brisbane and Townsville, such as Maroochydore, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, and Mackay.

With such frequent stops a high altitude was never achieved, offering good views of this scenic part of the state.

A replica of the Douglas DC-3 operated by Bush Pilots Airways is currently on display at Cairns International Airport, registered as VH-BPA.

Aircraft Used

*Douglas DC-3
* DHC-6 Twin Otter
* Fokker F.27 Friendship with 9 aircraft operated through its history
* ATR 42-310/312 with up to 4 aircraft operated through its history

References

# "Bush Pilot", Bob Norman, 1976.

External links

* [http://rzjets.net/operators/operator.php?opid=3430 | Air Queensland data]