Skytrans (QN, Cairns) is to resume operations on April 1 following a deal between the airline's administrators Bentleys Chartered Accountants and Collings Aircraft Holdings, the owners of West Wing Aviation (Mount Isa).

According to Australian Aviation, following its acquisition of Skytrans' Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), West Wing has now leased two Dash 8-100s - VH-QQA (cn 5) and VH-QQG (cn 36) - with options for an additional six aircraft. In contrast to their previous operations, they will, however be reconfigured to allow for more freight to be hauled.

With proving flights for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) completed on Tuesday, March 31, the rejuvenated carrier's first commercial flight is scheduled to be a Cairns-Bamaga service on Wednesday.

Skytrans filed for bankruptcy in January this year blaming a sliding Australian Dollar coupled with a tough operating environment worsened by the loss of three Queensland regulated regional air routes late last year.