MacAir Airlines is truly a success story of pioneering spirit in outback Queensland. The company commenced its operations in 1992 as a charter operation on McKinlay Station in North West Queensland. Since its inception, MacAir Airlines has grown to become a major player in Australia’s regional aviation network and plays an important role in providing transport to both passengers and freight throughout regional Queensland.
MacAir Airlines still salutes its heritage by basing its operations in the major regional and economic centre of Townsville. The company’s passengers are served by a dedicated group of aviation professionals based in Townsville, Cairns, Mount Isa and Brisbane. The growth of the mining industry and its fly-in fly-out operations has led to the expansion of the carrier and the introduction of passenger services throughout Queensland.
In the year 2000, MacAir saw further expansion when it merged with passenger airline Transtate Airlines and incorporated their Gulf of Carpentaria services under the MacAir banner.
Today, MacAir services more than 27 communities through rural and remote Queensland, with a fleet of SAAB 340B turboprop aircraft, and Australia’s first ATR 42-500, a state-of-the-art, in-production aircraft that is leading the world aviation industry on the “green” front.
The ATR turboprop aircraft is recognised as the most fuel efficient aircraft in its category and maintains distinctive advantages with respect to other modes of transport such as road and rail, also in terms of pollutant emissions. The ATR 42-500 is also more efficient than regional jet aircraft on short-haul routes. Improvements in turbine efficiency and propeller technology mean that turboprop remains the most efficient means of propulsion for aircraft flying sectors up to 400 miles at speed of about 300kts (550mph), allowing impressive fuel economics to be made.
MacAir Airlines is a Qantas commercial partner. As such, the airline enjoys worldwide distribution through the Qantas reservation system. This agreement between the two carriers gives passengers the ability to choose several options for booking tickets and accrue and utilise frequent flyer points on a number of services.
