SmartLynx Australia (QN, Cairns) commenced operations between Sydney Kingsford Smith and Lord Howe Island on December 1, earlier than previously planned, replacing Qantas as the exclusive operator on the route. Flights on the route utilise a DHC-8-Q200, acquired from the flag carrier, to fulfil the licence awarded by Transport for New South Wales in October 2024. SmartLynx was originally due to begin services to Lord Howe Island on February 26, 2026.

While Qantas has concluded its 30-year operational tenure on the route, it retains a full codeshare agreement with SmartLynx Australia. Chief executive Gytis Gumuliauskas noted that the launch positions the ACMI carrier, formerly known as Skytrans (Cairns), as the first new regional airline in Sydney in years.