paravion

Par Avion is a regional airline and aviation-tourism business based at Cambridge Aerodrome near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The business was established in 1978 under the name Airlines of Tasmania and later adopted the Par Avion identity for its airline and wilderness-tourism activities. Its operations have combined scheduled regional flying, charter services, scenic flights, flight training and guided air-access tourism in Tasmania’s remote southwest. In its early years, Airlines of Tasmania operated regular services to Tasmania’s west coast, including flights associated with Queenstown and Strahan. The business subsequently expanded beyond conventional passenger transport. In 1984, it established Par Avion Wilderness Tours, a specialist operation serving the southwest wilderness by air and offering sightseeing and tour packages. These activities became an important part of the company’s identity and differentiated it from larger domestic airlines that primarily connect major Australian cities. The airline has operated a changing network according to demand, aircraft availability and government or commercial support. In 1989 it introduced a Launceston–Melbourne Essendon service using four Aérospatiale N 262 aircraft. The company acquired Cambridge Aerodrome from the Federal Airports Corporation in 1992, giving it an operating base and an asset closely connected with its flight-training, charter and tourism businesses. A Hobart–Strahan scheduled service operated in 2004–2005 but ended after traffic proved insufficient. In 2008, the airline moved its Melbourne operations from Moorabbin to Essendon while introducing Dornier 228 aircraft. During the 2010s, scheduled island services were progressively transferred to Sharp Airlines. Sharp took over scheduled operations to Flinders Island in 2010 and King Island in 2012. Par Avion nevertheless continued to test selected regional routes. A proposed Essendon–Griffith service began in March 2014 under the Par Avion brand using Cessna 404 Titan aircraft, but the route was later discontinued. In 2015, Par Avion and Sharp Airlines attempted a connecting service from Cambridge through Wynyard to King Island. The service was suspended later that year because passenger numbers were too low. Par Avion has also developed an education and training role. In 2013, it announced a partnership with the University of Tasmania to provide flying training linked to tertiary study, and it operates as a registered training organisation. The company’s tourism business includes scenic and expedition-style flights into Tasmania’s Southwest National Park, including access to the Bathurst Harbour area and options involving day or overnight wilderness trips. In 2019, the company reinstated scheduled flying between Hobart and Strahan with assistance from a Tasmanian Government grant. The service operated three times weekly using Cessna Titan aircraft, alongside limited scheduled flying between Hobart and Launceston. The Strahan service ended when the grant period concluded because passenger demand was not sufficient to sustain it without support. The company’s later scheduled and charter activity has centered on Tasmanian destinations including Launceston and Cape Barren Island, while Cambridge Aerodrome remains the base for sightseeing, charter and training operations. Par Avion has received recognition primarily for its tourism activities rather than for the scale of its scheduled airline network. It entered the Tasmanian Tourism Hall of Fame in 1999 and again in 2016, and received the 2014 Australian Tourism Award for Major Tour and Transport Operator, with a silver award in 2016. The brand therefore represents a hybrid Tasmanian aviation business: a small regional carrier, an aerodrome operator, a flying school and a gateway to remote wilderness tourism.

Airlines of Tasmania was established in 1978 and developed as a small Tasmanian regional carrier serving communities and tourism destinations that were not consistently connected by larger airlines. Its early scheduled network included west-coast operations associated with Queenstown and Strahan. The company’s small-aircraft model allowed it to serve thin routes, although many of those routes were sensitive to seasonal demand and local population levels. In 1984, the business created Par Avion Wilderness Tours, shifting part of its emphasis toward scenic flying and air-supported tourism in Tasmania’s southwest. The wilderness operation became central to the brand’s identity, offering access to remote areas including the Southwest National Park and Bathurst Harbour. Rather than treating tourism as an ancillary activity, Par Avion developed it as a core business alongside passenger flying and charter work. The airline expanded its scheduled ambitions in November 1989 by introducing a Launceston–Melbourne Essendon route with four Aérospatiale N 262 aircraft. In 1992, it purchased Cambridge Aerodrome from the Federal Airports Corporation. The acquisition gave the company control of an important Hobart-area aviation base and supported its later combination of airline operations, flight training, chartering and tourism. A Hobart–Strahan service operated during 2004–2005 but ended because traffic was marginal. In early 2008, the company transferred its Melbourne operations from Moorabbin Airport to Essendon Airport while upgrading its fleet with Dornier 228 aircraft. During the following years, the structure of Tasmanian regional aviation changed. Sharp Airlines took over scheduled operations to Flinders Island in October 2010 and to King Island in July 2012. Par Avion continued to pursue new partnerships and routes. In December 2013, it announced an agreement with the University of Tasmania involving flight training as part of a tertiary qualification. The company also became a registered training organisation. In 2014, after receiving approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, it began an Essendon–Griffith route using Cessna 404 Titan aircraft. The route was subsequently dropped. In 2015, Par Avion worked with Sharp Airlines on a proposed Cambridge–Wynyard–King Island connection. Par Avion operated the Cambridge–Wynyard leg, allowing passengers to connect with Sharp services to King Island. The flights operated on selected weekdays using Piper Navajo aircraft, with occasional Cessna 404 operations, but were suspended late in 2015 because passenger numbers were inadequate. The company’s tourism activities received repeated industry recognition. Par Avion entered the Tasmanian Tourism Hall of Fame in 1999 in the Tour and Transport Operator—Significant category and returned to the Hall of Fame in 2016 as a Major Tour and Transport Operator. It won the 2014 Australian Tourism Award for Major Tour and Transport Operator and received a silver award in 2016. In May 2019, Par Avion restarted scheduled Hobart–Strahan services with assistance from a Tasmanian Government grant. Flights operated three times per week using a Cessna Titan, and the company also operated limited Hobart–Launceston scheduled services. The Strahan operation ended after the grant period because passenger demand did not support an unsubsidised continuation. In later published descriptions, the company’s scheduled network included Cambridge/Hobart, Launceston Airport and Cape Barren Island, while King Island, Flinders Island, Strahan, Burnie, Melbourne Essendon and Griffith were identified as former destinations. The business has also faced the operational risks associated with small-aircraft flying. Two fatal accidents are recorded in the reference history: a Cessna 172 accident off the Tasman Peninsula in December 2014, which killed the company pilot and one passenger, and a Britten-Norman Islander accident near Federation Peak and the Western Arthur Range in December 2018, which killed the pilot. These events are recorded as aviation incidents rather than as evidence of a corporate scandal. Today, the Par Avion identity is best understood as a multi-part Tasmanian aviation and tourism platform. Scheduled passenger services remain one component, but charter flying, scenic flights, wilderness excursions, aerodrome ownership and management, and pilot training are equally important to its business profile.

• 2019

  Hobart–Strahan service resumed

  [1]Par Avion (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  Grant-supported scheduled flights resumed between Cambridge/Hobart and Strahan.

• 2015

  Cambridge–Wynyard–King Island trial suspended

  [1]Par Avion (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  A joint connection with Sharp Airlines was suspended after weak passenger numbers.

• 2014

  Essendon–Griffith route introduced

  [1]Par Avion (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  The airline began the route under the Par Avion brand using Cessna 404 Titan aircraft.

• 2013

  University of Tasmania training partnership announced

  [1]Par Avion (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  Par Avion announced a flight-training partnership linked to tertiary study.

• 2012

  King Island scheduled operations transferred

  [1]Par Avion (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  Sharp Airlines took over scheduled services to King Island.

• 2010

  Flinders Island scheduled operations transferred

  [1]Par Avion (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  Sharp Airlines took over scheduled operations to Flinders Island.

• 1992

  Cambridge Aerodrome acquired

  [1]Par Avion (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  The company purchased Cambridge Aerodrome from the Federal Airports Corporation.

• 1989

  Launceston–Melbourne Essendon service launched

  [1]Par Avion (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  The airline introduced the route with four Aérospatiale N 262 aircraft.

• 1984

  Par Avion Wilderness Tours established

  [1]Par Avion (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  The company created a specialist wilderness-tourism operation focused on air access and sightseeing in southwest Tasmania.

• 1978

  Airlines of Tasmania established

  [1]Par Avion (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  The Tasmanian regional aviation business was founded and began developing scheduled and charter operations.

A specialist Tasmanian aviation brand combining small-aircraft regional transport with premium wilderness access, scenic flying, charter operations and pilot training.

• Passenger airline · 1978

  Scheduled regional passenger services

  Par Avion has operated scheduled passenger services linking Hobart’s Cambridge Aerodrome with selected Tasmanian destinations, including Launceston, Strahan and Cape Barren Island at different times. Its route network has changed frequently in response to demand, subsidies, partnerships and aircraft availability. Former destinations have included King Island, Flinders Island, Burnie, Melbourne Essendon and Griffith.

• Tourism aviation · 1984

  Wilderness and scenic flights

  Par Avion provides sightseeing and tourism flights from Cambridge Aerodrome into southwest Tasmania. Its wilderness operation includes day and overnight experiences associated with the Southwest National Park and Bathurst Harbour, giving visitors air access to remote landscapes that are difficult to reach by road.

• Aviation charter

  Charter flights

  The company operates charter flying within Tasmania and serves private, tourism and regional transport requirements. Charter work complements scheduled services and allows the business to use small aircraft for destinations or itineraries that do not support regular daily operations.

• Aviation education · 2013

  Flight training

  Through its Cambridge Aerodrome base and registered-training-organisation status, Par Avion provides pilot-training activities. A partnership announced with the University of Tasmania linked flying instruction with tertiary study, extending the company beyond transport and tourism into aviation education.

• 2019

  Grant-supported Hobart–Strahan serviceProduct launch

  Background

  The company received assistance through a Tasmanian Government grant to support renewed regional connectivity.

  Action taken

  Par Avion commenced three-times-weekly Hobart/Cambridge–Strahan flights using a Cessna Titan.

  Aftermath

  The service ended when the grant concluded because passenger numbers were not sufficient for sustainable unsubsidised operation.

  Source

• 2014

  Essendon–Griffith expansionProduct launch

  Background

  Par Avion sought to expand beyond Tasmania into mainland regional markets and obtained Civil Aviation Safety Authority approval.

  Action taken

  The airline began regular Essendon–Griffith flights using Cessna 404 Titan aircraft.

  Aftermath

  The route was later discontinued.

  Source

• 2012

  King Island scheduled operation transferred to Sharp AirlinesStrategy

  Background

  Sharp Airlines expanded its role in Tasmanian island air services.

  Action taken

  Sharp Airlines took over all scheduled operations to King Island.

  Aftermath

  Par Avion later participated in a separate connecting-service trial through Wynyard, but that trial was suspended in 2015.

  Source

• 2010

  Flinders Island scheduled operation transferred to Sharp AirlinesStrategy

  Background

  Sharp Airlines took over the scheduled Flinders Island operation.

  Action taken

  Par Avion ceased operating that scheduled service and Sharp Airlines assumed it.

  Aftermath

  Flinders Island became part of Sharp Airlines’ scheduled network.

  Source

• 2008

  Melbourne operations moved to EssendonStrategy

  Background

  The airline was upgrading its fleet and introducing Dornier 228 aircraft.

  Action taken

  Par Avion moved its Melbourne operations from Moorabbin Airport to Essendon Airport.

  Aftermath

  Essendon became the airline’s Melbourne operating location for the relevant period.

  Source

1. 1Par Avion (airline)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Airlines of Tasmania official websiteairtasmania.com.au