note

Regional airline operating in state of Queensland was founded by Maryborough businessman Bevan Whitaker in 1981 to provide airline service in Queensland that has been abandoned by TAA. Operations commenced in December 1981 using Embraer EMB-110 aircraft. In 1986 Sunstate purchased defunct New South Wales regional airline MVA. Sunstate was puchased in 1990 by Australian Airlines which set up South Australia Airlines out of Sunstate's Victoria and Tasman operations. At this time Sunstate was operating Short 330s and 360s, Cessna 404s, DHC-7s and Embraer 110s. In 1992 Sunstate put in service its first pressurized aircraft a DHC-8. In 2001 Qantas consolidated its regional carriers Eastern Australian Airlines, Southern Australia and Sunstate Airlines under regional brand QantasLink operating all flights under Qantas flight numbers and call-sign QLink. In 2006 Sunstate received its first DHC-8-400.

founded - demised (age)

December 1981 - present  (44years)

headquarters

, Brisbane

web

base airports

YBBN Brisbane Airport Brisbane

related operators

Qantas	parent
Murray Valley Airlines	purchased 1986
Australian Airlines	affiliate
Southern Australia Airlines	sister co.
QantasLink	contract