Network Aviation

Network Aviation is an airline based at Perth Airport, operating regular scheduled and air charter services in support of "fly-in fly-out" mining operations throughout Western Australia and limited regular scheduled services interstate. Since 2015 Network Aviation has primarily flown under the QantasLink brand. In partnership with subsidiary engineering provider Network Turbine Solutions, Network Aviation operates over 50 flights a week on behalf of mining companies to facilitate crew changes at remote sites.^[1]

Network Aviation

A Network Aviation Fokker 100 operating under the QantasLink livery
IATA ICAO Call sign — NWK NET-LINK
Founded	1998; 27 years ago (1998)
AOC #	CASA.AOC.0006
Operating bases	Perth Airport
Frequent-flyer program	Qantas Frequent Flyer
Alliance	Oneworld (affiliate)
Subsidiaries	Network Turbine Solutions
Fleet size	35
Destinations	22
Parent company	Qantas
Headquarters	Redcliffe, Western Australia, Australia
Website	www.networkaviation.com.au

History

A former Network Aviation Cessna 441 Conquest II in 1999.

A Network Aviation Fokker 100 in an earlier livery in 2008.

A former Embraer EMB-120ER in polished aluminium livery in 2012.

After assisting to establish Skippers Aviation, Lindsay Evans founded Network in 1998. Originally operating a mix of smaller aircraft types such as Cessna 441 Conquest IIs, Cessna 310s and Beechcraft Super King Airs, in partnership with key clients Network grew into larger types and commenced operating Embraer Brasilias in 2000 and Fokker 100s in 2008.^[2]

In February 2011, Network Aviation was purchased by Qantas.^[3] Network retains its current management, employees and operating structure, with the business to be aligned with Qantas' operations, standards and processes. With the purchase, Qantas stated it was looking at significantly growing Network's fleet and operations.^[4][5] On taking over Network, Qantas announced that it was purchasing ten Fokker 100 aircraft for the company.

In May 2014 Network Aviation received approval to operate three weekly services from Perth to Exmouth, Western Australia with Fokker 100s.^[6]

In March 2015 QantasLink ceased its scheduled turboprop aircraft operations in Western Australia. Network Aviation took over services to Geraldton and some services to Exmouth.^[7] On 31 July 2015, Qantas announced that the Fokker 100 aircraft would be progressively repainted in QantasLink colours.^[8][9]

In September 2016 Network Aviation became an affiliate member of the oneworld airline alliance.

In January 2018, Network Aviation confirmed it would transfer two Airbus A320s from Jetstar Airways for flights to and from Perth as part of the QantasLink brand.^[10][11] Network Aviation has steadily increased its use of ex-Jetstar Airbus A320s since then to a total of 19.

In February 2023, Qantas announced an order for 5 mid-life Airbus A319s aircraft to increase short term capacity and support the growth of the resource sector in Western Australia for delivery from 2024.^[12] Qantas announced in February 2024, following a strong performance in the resources sector that 4 additional A319 aircraft had been purchased, bringing the total to 9.

On 25 June 2025, Qantaslink announce that the Embraer 190 was selected as the preferred replacement for the Fokker 100 fleet, up to 14 aircraft will be sourced for targeted delivery beginning at the end of 2026. The retirement of the Fokker 100 will begin early with the arrival of four Airbus A320 from defunct Jetstar Asia, bring the total to 19^[13]

Destinations

Network Aviation operates regular services to fixed schedules from Perth Airport to the following destinations in Western Australia:.^[14] The airline also operates a number of charters to select destinations to facilitate "Fly-In, Fly-Out" working rosters on mining sites. In 2025 Network aviation announced an expansion of interstate destinations with flights to Newcastle and Hobart commencing in late 2025 in addition to launching Perth to Busselton Public Services in mid 2025.^[15][16][17]

New South Wales

• Newcastle

Northern Territory

• Darwin

Tasmania

• Hobart

Western Australia

• Gascoyne region
  • Exmouth (Learmonth Airport)
• Goldfields–Esperance region
  • Carosue Dam
  • Kalgoorlie
• Kimberley region
  • Broome
  • Koolan Island
• Mid West region
  • Geraldton
• Pilbara region
  • Boolgeeda
  • Buttbreak iron ore mine
  • Christmas Creek mine (Graeme Rowley Aerodrome)
  • Cloudbreak mine (Fortescue Dave Forrest Airport)
  • Iron Bridge mine
  • Eliwana mine
  • Karratha
  • Ken's Bore mine
  • Newman
  • Onslow
  • Paraburdoo
  • Port Hedland
  • Roy Hill Mine (Ginbata Airport)
  • Solomon Hub iron ore mine (Solomon Airport)
  • Wodgina mine
  • West Angelas mine
• South West region
  • Busselton

Fleet

Network Aviation Fokker 100 in QantasLink "new roo" livery taxiing at Wagga Wagga Airport

Current fleet

As of June 2025^[update], Network Aviation operates the following aircraft:^[18][19]

Aircraft	In service	Orders	Passengers	Notes
Airbus A319-100	9	—	150[20]	Former Spirit Airlines aircraft.[21]
Airbus A320-200	15	4	180[22]	Former Jetstar aircraft.[23] 4 aircraft to be transferred from Jetstar Asia, replacing 4 F100[24][25]
Fokker 100	14	—	100[26]	Former Tyrolean Airways, Germania and Avianca aircraft.[27]To be retired and replaced by E190 & A320s.[25]
Total	38	4

Formerly operated

Network Aviation formerly also operated the following types of aircraft:^{[citation needed]}

• Beechcraft 200 Super King Air
• Cessna 310
• Cessna 441 Conquest II
• Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia

See also

• List of airlines of Australia