Qantas Dash8-Q200 Landing & Taking off from Lord Howe Island Airport (iPhone-HLG)

Skytrans will take over QantasLink’s Sydney-Lord Howe Island services from 2026, as Qantas’ regional subsidiary retires the only aircraft in its fleet that can operate the route. Lord Howe Island (along with Norfolk Island) is an important transit and refueling point for light aircraft flying between Australia and New Zealand. Located 600 km (373 mi) to the west is the Australian mainland, and 900 km (559 mi) to the east is Norfolk Island Airport which is within range of New Zealand to the southeast and New Caledonia to the north. These countries are within the range of many light aircraft when fitted with extra fuel tanks and operating via the two islands, but not while flying directly between them. From New Caledonia, other Pacific nations such as Vanuatu and Fiji are within range and can be used as further 'stepping stones' to other South Pacific and North Pacific destinations. The airport's elevation above mean sea level is 17 ft (5 m) and it has one runway, measuring 886 m × 30 m.