Sharp axes Melbourne flights

SHARP Airlines will ditch flights between King Island and Melbourne from April unless the route is supported by government funding.

The airline has confirmed that no further Melbourne–King Island flights will be loaded for sale beyond April without additional government support, while a reduced Tasmania-only timetable currently extended into the 2026–27 peak summer season.

Sharp Airlines’ forward booking availability indicates a significant shift in King Island’s air connectivity, with Melbourne (Essendon Fields) services not currently available for booking beyond the end of April 2026. The airline says no final decisions have been made, but has confirmed that no further Melbourne–King Island flights will be loaded for sale beyond April without additional government support, while a reduced Tasmania-only timetable currently extends into the 2026–27 peak summer season.

Forward schedules currently show only King Island–Tasmania services operating via Launceston and Wynyard, with no Melbourne flights available for booking beyond early May 2026.

Responding to community concern, Sharp Airlines CEO Alistair Dorward said the Melbourne–King Island route had been under discussion with government stakeholders for many months.

“Like many regional air services across Australia, it requires a level of government support to remain viable,” Mr Dorward said.

“While no final decisions have been made, we have been clear in flagging that a sustainable pathway forward will require some form of government support. At this stage, no further flights between Melbourne and King Island will be loaded for sale beyond the end of April 2026.”

Historically, Sharp has operated both morning and afternoon return flights between Melbourne and King Island, alongside Tasmanian services, with a reduced winter schedule typically giving way to increased capacity over summer in response to demand. However, since September 2025, scheduled services on some days have been reduced or removed and, unusually, those reductions have carried through the 2025–26 peak summer season rather than returning to pre-winter levels.

As previously reported, the tighter schedule has made securing seats increasingly difficult, limited travel options and affected accommodation bookings and event planning. These constraints have had direct impacts on the local economy, as well as on business services and access to medical appointments for island residents.

The newly advised Tasmanian timetable for the period October 26, 2026 to April 2027 indicates that this reduced pattern is expected to continue into the next summer season. Under the schedule released to date, no Melbourne services are shown, with King Island connected solely to Tasmania.

From 1 May to 30 September 2026 the morning Tasmanian services are scheduled Monday to Friday, while afternoon flights operate only on Wednesdays and Fridays. There are no Saturday flights, and Sundays are limited to a single Tasmanian return service.

The absence of Melbourne services in the forward schedule would significantly alter the competitive landscape of air travel to the island. In practical terms, direct passenger access to Melbourne would become largely concentrated with Rex, with other operators, including King Island Airlines, primarily focused on smaller aircraft, freight and charter services. The change would also potentially render Sharp’s previously announced through-booking arrangement with Qantas effectively redundant for King Island travellers, as that agreement relied on Melbourne services to provide onward connections into the national network.

Mr Dorward said Sharp continued to work closely with the Tasmanian Government on potential sustainable solutions and was also pursuing engagement with the Federal Government.

“The Launceston to King Island schedule loaded for the winter season is the same schedule that was run last year. There are no plans to cut flights from the current Launceston to King Island schedule,” he said.

“We remain committed to working transparently and collaboratively with all parties and will continue to keep the King Island community informed as discussions progress.”

Tasmanian Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events Jane Howlett said the Government was disappointed by the prospect of reduced services and acknowledged the concern this news would cause for island residents.

She said the Tasmanian Government had provided time-limited funding to Sharp Airlines from 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026 to maintain services between King and Flinders Islands during the Rex Airlines administration process.

“This investment ensured service levels to the Bass Strait Islands were maintained during a period of industry uncertainty,” Ms Howlett said.

She said the Government recognised that regional aviation was a national issue requiring a long-term national solution and confirmed Tasmania had written to the Australian Government and continued to advocate for a coordinated approach.

“Maintaining commercially viable air services to King Island is important, and we are looking at options,” she said.

President of King Island Tourism, Adam Hely, said the implications of reduced services extended well beyond tourism.

“In addition to the obvious impact on visitor travel and local operators, the welfare of the island in health, education and business services will be put under strain with limited travel options from both Victoria and Tasmania,” Mr Hely said.

“The schedule currently available for the 2026–27 summer season also indicates significant cuts to services.”

Responding to the situation, Mayor Marcus Blackie said Sharp Airlines has provided excellent air services to King Island for many decades and is deservedly respected for consistently partnering in the island’s growth and development, as well as generously sponsoring local events.

The Mayor said Sharp’s versatility, flying passengers, air freight, perishable food supplies, FIFO charter services and supporting Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) movements into the State health system, meant the airline remained critical to the island.

“Because of this, the Tasmanian Government recognises the essential air services Sharp provides to both King and Flinders Islands, and State Growth will consider further support options from this winter schedule onwards,” the Mayor said.

“We are certainly advocating for a continuation of State support while regional aviation goes through a period of industry flux. That said, reducing the cost of King Island airfares must now be a priority to drive demand, and subsidies should also be considered.”

The Mayor said Council would re-engage with the new ownership of Rex Airlines with a focus on growth and confirmed representation would be made at upcoming Senate Committee hearings into regional aviation later this month.

“Finally, as a Council, we are doing our part by continuing to develop, expand and improve our municipality-owned airport to support increased aircraft, passenger and cargo throughput into the future,” he said.

Air access underpins the day-to-day livability of King Island, not only its tourism economy. Reliable flights are essential for residents, FIFO workers, day-trip business travel, education access, on- and off-island medical services, Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) appointments, and the movement of fresh food and time-sensitive freight. Any ongoing reduction in services therefore has implications well beyond visitor numbers, affecting the island’s health, workforce, supply chains and long-term sustainability, and reinforcing the critical need for a durable solution to regional air access. Further clarification from the airline and governments is expected.