Sunstate Airlines - Airline Information

Sunstate Airlines operates regional flights across Queensland, Sydney and Canberra. As a subsidiary of Australian flag carrier, Qantas, Sunstate Airlines flies under the QantasLink banner from its base in Brisbane. The carrier also operates from its secondary hub in Cairns and flies a fleet of 25 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft.

The airline was established in December 1981, and merged with Noosa Air in 1983. It purchased a share in Murray Valley Airlines in 1986, and acquired Air Queensland the following year, expanding its route territory. Australian Airlines subsequently purchased a third of shares in Sunstate in 1989, and became the outright owner of the airlines a year later. By 1993, Sunstate Airlines took over Australian Regional Airlines, expanding steadily throughout the mid-1990s.

In 2001, Sunstate, along with other Australian airlines, were rebranded under the QantasLink banner, and the Brisbane-based carrier currently flies under the slogan, “Spirit of Australia.” Under ICAO code: SSQ,  it ferries passengers to 23 destinations which include Barcaldine, Biloela, Blackall, Blackwater, Bundaberg, Cairns, Canberra, Charlesville, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Longreach, Lord Howe Island, Mackay, Newcastle, Rockhampton, Roma, Townsville, Hamilton Island, Horn Island, Weipa, Cloncurry, Mount Isa, Geraldton, Perth, and Exmouth.

As a Qantas subsidiary, Sunstate Airlines passengers have the opportunity to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points each time they book a flight and fly with Sunstate to any of its QantasLink routes.

Sunstate Airlines is located at the Domestic Terminal of Brisbane Airport. Passengers wishing to book a ticket with this QantasLink carrier can call its offices at 13 1313.